^  ^CONSERVATION 


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OF  OUR 

WILD  BIRDS 


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OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 

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CONSERVATION  OF  OUR 

WILD  BIRDS 


cCONSERVATION  OF  OUR 

WILD  BIRDS 

METHODS  OF  ATTRACTING 

AND  INCREASING  THE  NUMBERS  OF  USEFUL 

BIRDS  AND  THE 

ESTABLISHMENT  OF  SANCTUARIES 

BY 
BRADFORD  A.  ^SCUDDER  ^ 

SECRETARY  OF  THE  MASSACHUSETTS 

nSH  6c  GAME  PROTECTIVE 

ASSOCIATION 


ISSUED  BY  THE 

MASSACHUSETTS  HSH  AND  GAME 
PROTECTIVE  ASSOCIATION 

748  TREMONT  BUILDING 

BOSTON 


INTRODUCTION 

VERY  WHERE  throughout  this  broad 
knd  of  ours  there  exists  a  wholesome  de- 
sire to  protect  the  wild  life  about  us.  We 
of  this  twentieth  century  are  living  in  an 
age  when  both  societies  and  individuals  are 
zealously  striving,  not  only  to  inspire  a  love  for  this  wild 
life,  but  also  to  instruct  the  people  at  large  regarding  how 
it  may  be  wisely  conserved.  Love  for  the  out-of-doors  is 
strong  in  most  of  us  and  the  call  to  the  country  is  insistent. 
Each  year  the  throng  increases  of  those  who  respond  to 
this  summons, — many  to  reside  there  permanently,  others 
as  sojourners  only  during  the  delightful  months  of  the 
year,  and  the  charms  of  a  country  life  are  doubly  enhanced 
by  the  presence  of  the  wild  creatures  about  us. 

The  wild  life,  especially  the  birds,  contribute  largely  to 
both  our  welfare  and  our  happiness.  While  engaged  in 
their  important  work  of  ridding  the  country  of  injurious 
insect  pests  and  the  seeds  of  noxious  weeds,  they  at  the 
same  time  gratify  our  aesthetic  tastes  by  their  cheery  songs, 
bright  colors,  and  vivacious  movements.  There  is  also  the 
additional  charm  of  being  able  to  watch  the  evolution  of 
their  home-building,  from  the  gathering  of  the  first  nesting 
material  until  the  young  spread  their  wings  and  fly  away. 
Unfortunately  many  of  those  who  delight  in  the  charms 
of  the  country  have  been  denied  the  opportunity  of  learn- 
ing much  about  the  habits  of  birds, — what  species  will 
nest  in  bird-houses,  where  to  properly  place  these  houses, 
or  how  to  care  for  the  birds  that  visit  us  in  the  bleak 

[7] 

365032 


weather  of  winter  and  come  about  our  homes  searching 
for  food. 

Hosts  of  birds  may  be  attracted  about  our  country  homes 
at  all  seasons  of  the  year  by  offering  food,  shelter,  and  suit- 
able lodgings,  and  the  author  in  following  the  precepts  of 
the  Massachusetts  Fish  and  Game  Protective  Association, 
has  endeavored  to  set  forth  in  a  manner  both  clear  and 
comprehensive,  methods  by  which  this  may  be  accom- 
plished. 

In  this  important  work  of  protecting  and  conserving 
our  wild  life  we  are  confronted  with  a  situation  that  de- 
mands instant  and  careful  consideration.  The  author  refers 
to  the  antagonistic  points  of  view  held  by  the  bird  pro- 
tectionist and  the  sportsman.  The  former  adheres  to  the 
theory  that  the  shooting  of  all  birds  and  quadrupeds  for 
mere  sport  should  be  absolutely  abolished,  while  the  latter 
argues  that  game  birds  and  quadrupeds  exist  for  the  pur- 
pose of  providing  a  source  of  legitimate  recreation.  We 
do  not  wish  to  criticise  the  exponents  of  these  doctrines, 
— each  has  a  right  to  his  own  beliefs.  Therefore  let  us 
strive  to  create  a  spirit  of  goodwill  and  cooperation,  such 
as  will  inspire  both  parties  to  devote  their  energies  unceas- 
ingly to  the  cause  of  wild  life  protection  and  propagation. 
Our  game  birds  afford  recreation  to  many  that  delight  in 
shooting, — a  legitimate  pastime  when  tempered  with 
moderation,  and  one  to  be  encouraged  as  an  incentive  to 
become  better  acquainted  with  nature,  and  to  render  the 
young  mind  keen  by  training  the  powers  of  observation. 

Savage  man  however,  hunted  not  for  the  mere  sport  of 
the  chase,  but  to  supply  himself  with  the  necessities  of 
[8] 


life.  So,  all  statements  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding, 
do  not  try  to  excuse  your  own  present  sporting  propensity, 
on  the  ground  that  it  is  a  portion  of  the  inheritance  be- 
queathed you  by  an  ancestor,  who  armed  with  a  flint- 
tipped  spear  followed  the  pre-historic  mammals. 

Our  wild  life  of  the  present  day  is  in  numbers  but  a 
fragment  of  what  our  country  contained  a  quarter-century 
ago.  That  vandal,  commercialism,  the  destroyer  of  our 
natural  resources,  played  havoc,  not  only  with  our  game 
birds  and  quadrupeds,  but  also  with  our  birds  that  con- 
tribute so  largely  to  the  welfare  of  the  country  in  an  eco- 
nomic way.  Now  that  the  market-hunter  and  the  pur- 
veyor of  plumages  of  wild  birds  are  no  longer  allowed  to 
ply  their  nefarious  trade,  our  wild  life  may  hope  to  estab- 
lish itself  in  its  former  abundance,  but  we  must  all  **put 
our  shoulders  to  the  wheel,"  and  help  repair  **the  years 
that  the  locusts  have  eaten." 

By  the  establishing  of  refuges  the  birdlover  and  the 
sportsman  may  meet  on  common  ground  and  be  of  mu- 
tual benefit.  In  every  city  and  town  there  should  be 
established  a  permanent  sanctuary, — the  most  successful 
method  of  perpetuating  our  useful  and  interesting  forms 
of  wild  life.  In  conserving  our  game  birds  and  quadrupeds 
by  means  of  protected  areas,  we  at  the  same  time  aid  in 
increasing  the  numbers  of  insectivorous  birds,  so  that  those 
who  establish  refuges  primarily  for  game,  become  indi- 
rectly public  benefactors. 

Artificial  propagation  of  certain  species  of  our  native 
game  birds  is  yet  in  its  infancy,  is  doubtful  of  success,  and 
too  costly  in  operation  to  be  attempted  by  those  possessing 

[9] 


only  moderate  means.  However  if  denied  the  possibilities 
of  a  game-farm,  we  may  at  least  establish  sanctuaries  and 
increase  the  natural  supply  of  game,  not  only  by  protective 
measures,  but  also  by  creating  a  sincere  public  sentiment 
for  this  method  of  game  conservation.  Competent  admin- 
istration, persistent  and  systematic  feeding  and  housing  of 
the  birds  and  rigorous  enforcement  of  the  laws,  are  all 
necessary  to  bring  success  to  this  enterprise. 

The  author  wishes  to  thank  not  only  the  members  of 
the  Executive  Committee,  but  also  many  other  members 
of  the  Massachusetts  Fish  and  Game  Protective  Associa- 
tion, who  by  their  loyal  and  enthusiastic  support  have 
made  the  publication  of  this  book  a  success.  Thanks  are 
due  Mr.  Edward  Howe  Forbush,  for  his  kindly  interest 
shown,  both  by  reading  the  proof,  and  in  making  many 
valuable  suggestions.  Our  former  President  of  this  Associ- 
ation, Mr.  William  Brewster,  deserves  many  thanks  for 
much  excellent  advice  given  relative  to  bird  nesting- 
boxes,  gleaned  from  his  experience  of  many  years  in  at- 
tracting birds. 

It  was  for  the  purpose  of  aiding  those  who  are  interested 
in  conserving  the  wild  life  about  us  that  this  little  book 
was  prepared,  and  it  is  the  sincere  hope  of  the  author  that 
it  will  be  a  stimulus  to  whoever  reads  its  pages  to  join  the 
ever-increasing  ranks  of  those  who  stand  for  the  rational 
protection  of  our  WILD  BIRDS. 

Bradford  Alexander  Scudder. 

January,  1916. 


[10] 


CONTENTS 


PACK 


Introduction 7 

Birds  That  We  Should  Encourage  to  Nest  About  Our 
Country  Homes 13 

Nesting-Boxes 21 

Martin  Houses 31 

Bird  Baths      .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .35 

Winter  Feeding  of  Birds        ......     38 

Berry  and  Seed  Bearing  Trees  and  Shrubs     .         .         .42 

Aquatic  Plants       ........     4S 

The  Establishment  of  a  Sanctuary  .         .         .         .48 

Enemies  of  Wild  Birds  .......     62 

Bibliography  of  Works  Pertaining  to  Birds  and  the 
Out-of-Doors 68 

Illustrations 

Nesting-Box  for  Flicker 22 

Drop-front  Nesting-Box,  for  Chickadee,  Bluebird,  etc.  24 
Nesting-Boxes  Mounted  on  Pole  and  Iron  Pipe  .  .  26 
Food  Houses  and  Shelter  for  Gamebirds         .         .         .39 


[111 


BIRDS  THAT  WE  SHOULD  ENCOURAGE  TO 
NEST  ABOUT  OUR  COUNTRY  HOMES 

TO  aid  those  who  have  a  fondness  for  birds,  and  wish  to 
attract  them  about  their  homes,  but  who  through  lack  of 
opportunity  possess  no  intimate  knowledge  of  the  nesting-habits 
of  each  species,  the  following  list  of  common  birds  is  given. 

All  of  these  thus  enumerated  are  found  generally  throughout 
our  three  Southern  New  England  States,  and  when  offered  pro- 
tection will  nest  on  our  farms,  often  in  such  proximity  to  our 
houses  that  their  home-building  and  domestic  cares  may  be  ob- 
served from  the  luxury  of  an  arm-chair  on  the  veranda,  or  from 
a  convenient  window.  Birds  of  different  species  vary  gready  in 
their  choice  of  a  location  for  a  nesting-site,  and  it  is  from  our 
knowledge  of  the  peculiar  nesting-habit  of  each  species  that  we 
are  able  to  anticipate  their  desires  and  prepare  a  congenial 
environment. 

Some  birds  nest  on  the  ground,  or  in  tussocks  of  grass;  some 
in  low  bushes  and  thick  shrubbery;  others  among  the  branches 
of  our  orchard  and  shade  trees;  some  few  species  excavate  holes 
in  the  decayed  trunks,  or  branches  of  trees;  and  some  species 
not  able  to  excavate  holes  for  themselves,  will  occupy  these 
vacated  apartments,  and  also  the  nesting-boxes  prepared  by  man. 

Although  we  may  not  solve  the  secret  of  the  Bluebirds'  pref- 
erence for  the  nesting-box,  let  us  welcome  the  little  home-seekers 
by  offering  an  apartment  to  their  liking.  In  many  sections  now 
over-run  by  that  exotic  pest,  the  European  House  Sparrow,  and 
where  nesting-boxes  intended  for  the  use  of  our  native  birds 
would  be  immediately  tenanted  by  this  unwelcome  guest,  birds 
of  other  nesting-habits  may  be  attracted  by  the  planting  of  thick 
shrubbery  and  coniferous  trees. 

Therefore  the  birds  in  this  subjoined  list  have  been  grouped  in 
accordance  with  their  nesting-habits. 


[13] 


BIRDS  THAT  NATURALLY  NEST  IN 

CAVITIES  IN  TREES  — FOR  THESE  WE  SHOULD 

PROVIDE  NESTING-BOXES 

NEARLY  all  of  the  various  species  of  birds  that  have  recip- 
rocated the  kindness  of  their  human  friends  by  accepting 
the  nesting-boxes  prepared  for  them,  originally  nested  either  in 
the  abandoned  homes  of  the  woodpecker  architects,  or  in  cavities 
in  trees  formed  from  the  combined  eflFects  of  decay  and  the  action 
of  the  elements. 

In  either  instance,  the  bottom  of  these  cavities  is  always  padded 
with  a  soft  layer  of  particles  of  wood, — chips  of  the  woodpecker 
artisan,  or  a  deposit  of  decayed  wood.  All  members  of  the  wood- 
pecker family  lay  their  eggs  upon  this  layer  of  chips,  which  slightly 
hollowed  forms  a  nest,  no  other  material  being  used.  In  all 
nesting-boxes  this  natural  lining  of  the  bottom  should  be  sup- 
plied, using  for  the  purpose  coarse  sawdust,  or  ground  cork,  to 
the  depth  of  two  inches.  This  detail  is  most  essential,  and 
should  not  be  overlooked.  Woodpeckers  will  not  occupy  a 
nesting-box  that  lacks  this  floor  covering, — the  eggs  would  roll 
about  on  the  bare  floor,  and  prevent  the  parent  bird  from  prop- 
erly covering  them  during  the  period  of  incubation.  It  is  also 
the  opinion  of  the  author,  that  birds  other  than  woodpeckers, 
species  that  use  various  materials  for  the  construction  of  a  nest, 
are  more  readily  induced  to  occupy  a  nesting-box  having  this 
layer  of  sawdust  or  cork,  than  one  in  which  it  is  lacking. 

A  nesting-box,  with  the  correct  inside  dimensions,  and  proper 
size  of  entrance  for  each  species  is  given  in  the  appended  list. 
The  mechanical  construction  and  the  placing  of  these  nesting- 
boxes  in  position  will  be  fully  described  in  the  chapter  entitled, 
**  Nesting-boxes. " 

Bluebird:  Nesting-box  should  have  the  following  inside  dimensions, — 
floor,  5  by  5  inches;  depth,  10  inches;  entrance,  1^  inches  in  diam- 
eter, with  its  lower  edge  7  inches  above  the  floor.  It  may  be  mounted 
upon  a  pole;  fastened  to  the  side  of  a  barn  or  other  farm  building;  or 
to  the  trunk  of  a  tree  standing  in  the  open,  and  at  a  height  of  from  8  to 
15  feet  above  the  ground,  wherever  placed. 

[14]  '      • 


Tree  Swallow:  Nesting-box  should  have  the  following  inside  dimen- 
sions,—  floor,  5  by  5  inches;  depth,  7  inches;  entrance,  li^  inches  in 
diameter,  with  its  lower  edge  4  inches  above  the  floor.  It  may  be 
mounted  upon  a  pole,  and  the  pole  may  then  be  screwed  or  bolted  to 
a  post  in  the  fence  inclosing  the  garden,  orchard,  or  mowing  land. 
When  fastened  to  the  trunk  of  a  tree,  be  sure  that  one  is  chosen  whose 
branches  are  high  enough  above  the  nesting-box  to  allow  the  birds  free- 
dom of  access  to  their  home,  after  the  foliage  has  fully  matured.  The 
nesting-box  should  be  placed  at  a  height  of  from  8  to  15  feet  above  the 
ground. 

Chickadee:  Nesting-box  should  have  the  following  inside  dimensions, — 
floor,  4  by  4  inches;  depth,  10  inches;  entrance,  1^4  inches  in  diameter, 
with  its  lower  edge  7  inches  above  the  floor.  It  should  be  placed  at  a 
height  of  from  6  to  12  feet  above  the  ground,  and  may  be  mounted  on 
a  pole  placed  in  the  orchard,  or  open  woods,  or  fastened  to  the  trunk 
of  a  tree.  All  nesting-boxes  for  the  Chickadee  should  be  situated  in 
open  spots,  and  not  in  the  dense  forest.  Possibly  a  nesting-box  painted 
a  dull  white,  simulating  the  color  of  a  gray  birch  stub,  would  be 
more  readily  occupied  by  the  Chickadee,  than  one  stained  a  shade  of 
brown  or  olive  green.  This  is  a  suggestion  of  the  author,  and  might  be 
worth  trying,  from  the  fact  that  the  Chickadee  when  excavating  its  home 
in  a  dead  tree  prefers  the  gray  birch,  the  decayed  wood  of  which  is 
easily  removed  by  the  tiny  builder. 

White-breasted  Nuthatch  :  Nesting-box  should  have  the  following 
inside  dimensions,— floor,  4  by  4  inches;  depth,  10  inches;  entrance, 
IH  inches  in  diameter,  with  its  lower  edge  7  inches  above  the  floor. 
It  should  be  placed  at  a  height  of  from  10  to  20  feet  from  the  ground, 
on  the  trunk  of  a  tree  in  open  woods  or  in  the  orchard, 

HoCsE  Wren:  Nesting-box  should  have  the  following  inside  dimen- 
sions,— floor,  4  by  4  inches;  depth,  8  inches;  entrance,  1  inch  in  di- 
ameter, with  its  lower  edge  6  inches  above  the  floor.  It  may  be  fastened 
to  the  side  of  an  outbuilding ;  to  a  tree  in  the  orchard ;  or,  mounted  on 
a  pole.  In  any  of  these  situations,  the  height  above  the  ground  should 
be  from  6  to  10  feet. 

Fucker:  Nesting-box  should  have  the  following  inside  dimensions, — 
floor,  6  by  6  inches;  depth,  18  inches;  entrance,  2i4  inches  in  diam- 
eter, with  its  lower  edge  14  inches  above  the  floor.  It  should  be  fastened 
to  a  tree  standing  in  the  open,  or  a  pole  and  at  a  height  of  from  8  to  20 
feet  above  the  ground.  Trees  bordering  country  highways,  or  near  the 
edges  of  open  fields  should  be  selected  for  this  purpose. 

Red-headed  Woodpecker:  Nesting-box  should  have  the  following 
inside  dimensions, —  floor,  6  by  6  inches;  depth,  16  inches;  entrance, 
2  inches  in  diameter,  with  its  lower  edge  12  inches  above  the  floor.  It 
may  be  fastened  to  the  trunk  of  a  tree  standing  in  the  open,  at  a  height 
of  from  15  to  20  feet  above  the  ground. 

[15] 


Screech  Owl:  Nesting-box  should  have  the  following  inside  dimen- 
sions,— floor,  8  by  8  inches;  depth,  18  inches;  entrance,  3  inches  in 
diameter,  with  its  lower  edge  12  inches  above  the  floor.  It  should  be 
placed  at  a  height  of  from  10  to  25  feet  above  the  ground,  on  the  trunk 
of  a  tree  among  both  pine  and  hardwood  groves  of  fairly  open  growth, 
or  fastened  to  one  of  the  large  branches  of  an  apple  tree  in  an  ancient 
orchard. 

Sparrow  Hawk:  Nesting-box  should  have  the  following  inside  dimen- 
sions,— floor,  8  by  8  inches;  depth,  18  inches;  entrance,  3  inches  in 
diameter,  with  its  lower  edge  12  inches  above  the  floor.  It  should  be 
fastened  to  the  trunk  of  a  tree  standing  in  the  open  country,  or  along 
the  borders  of  a  highway,  at  a  height  of  from  ten  to  twenty  feet. 

Wood  Duck:  Nesting-box  should  have  the  following  inside  dimensions, — 
floor,  12  by  12  inches;  depth,  24  inches;  entrance,  6  inches  in  diam- 
eter, with  its  lower  edge  16  inches  above  the  floor.  Suitable  natural 
nesting-sites  for  the  Wood  Duck  do  not  occur  in  abundance,  so  that 
by  placing  nesting-boxes  on  the  trunksof  large  trees  withina  short  distance 
of  a  pond  or  stream,  and  at  a  height  of  from  8  to  20  feet  above  the 
ground,  we  may  induce  one  or  more  pairs  of  these  beautiful  waterfowl 
to  stay  in  our  neighborhood,  and  raise  a  brood  of  young. 

Crested  Flycatcher:  Nesting-box  should  have  the  following  inside 
dimensions, — floor,  6 by  6 inches;  depth,  12  inches;  entrance,  2  inches 
in  diameter,  with  its  lower  edge  8  inches  above  the  floor.  It  should  be 
fastened  on  the  trunk  of  an  apple  tree,  or  a  hardwood  tree  standing  in 
the  open  woods,  about  15  feet  from  the  ground. 

Downy  Woodpecker:  Nesting-box  should  have  the  following  inside 
dimensions, — floor,  4  by  4  inches;  depth,  12  inches;  entrance,  1^ 
inches  in  diameter,  with  its  lower  edge  8  inches  above  the  floor.  This 
should  be  fastened  to  the  trunk,  or  a  large  perpendicular  branch  of  an 
apple  tree,  or  to  a  hardwood  tree  standing  in  the  open  forest,  at  a 
height  of  15  feet.  The  Downy  Woodpecker  rarely  raises  a  brood  of 
young  in  a  nesting-box,  but  frequently  uses  it  as  a  winter  sleeping  apart- 
ment. However,  by  persisting  in  offering  this  species  a  suitable  nesting- 
box  of  the  above  dimensions,  we  may  eventually  be  rewarded  by  its 
being  accepted. 

Hairy  Woodpecker:  Nesting-box  should  have  the  following  inside 
dimensions, — floor,  6  by  6  inches;  depth,  15  inches;  entrance,  11^ 
inches  in  diameter,  with  its  lower  edge  12  inches  above  the  floor.  This 
species  is  more  of  a  woodland  bird,  than  others  of  its  family,  and  seldom 
nests  in  close  proximity  to  a  dwelling.  Nesting-box  should  be  fastened 
to  the  trunk  of  a  hardwood  tree  in  fairly  open  woods,  and  placed  at  a 
height  of  from  10  to  20  feet  above  the  ground.  Like  its  cousin,  the 
Downy,  this  Woodpecker  does  not  favor  ready-made  apartments, — but 
let  us  persist  in  our  efforts  to  secure  this  bird  as  a  tenant 

[16] 


BIRDS  THAT  NEST  AMONG  THE  BRANCHES 
OF  ORCHARD  AND  SHADE  TREES 

Robin  :  Nests  commonly  in  trees  of  various  species  both  broad-Icaved,  and 
coniferous,  and  frequently  on  the  cornices  of  buildings. 

Kingbird:  Nests  among  the  branches  of  apple  trees,  seeming  to  prefer 
this  tree  to  that  of  many  other  species.  A  pair  of  Kingbirds  near  the 
house  arc  a  safe-guard  from  the  depredations  of  both  Hawks  and  Crows. 

Scarlet  Tanager  :  This  species  is  also  a  lover  of  the  orchard,  and  fre- 
quently nests  among  the  branches  of  the  apple  tree. 

Redstart:  Nest  is  placed  in  the  fork  of  branch  of  maple  and  oak  trees, 
in  rather  swampy  localities,  and  in  small  white  birches. 

Black-throated  Green  Warbler:  Nests  among  the  branches  of  the 
white  pine,  groves  of  which  it  frequents  during  the  breeding  season, 
and  in  small  upland  cedars. 

Pine  Warbler:  Nests  and  spends  the  breeding  season  among  the  pitch- 
pines,  but  when  these  trees  are  wanting,  shares  the  groves  of  white  pine 
with  its  cousin,  the  Black-throated  Green  Warbler. 

Yellow-throated  Vireo:  Nest  of  this  species  is  very  often  suspended 
from  a  fork  of  the  trailing  branches  of  the  elm  tree. 

Red-eyed  Vireo:  The  purse-shaped  nest  of  this  species  is  suspended  from 
the  small  branches  of  maples,  birches,  and  other  broad-leaved  trees. 

Cedar  Bird:  Nest  is  usually  placed  in  the  fork  of  a  small  branch  of  an 
apple  or  other  orchard  tree,  and  sometimes  in  the  fork  of  a  sapling 
growing  in  open  meadow  land.  This  bird  is  not  an  early  nester,  and 
does  not  commence  to  build  until  about  the  first  of  July. 

American  Goldfinch  :  This  species  delays  its  nest-building  until  July, 
when  it  constructs  a  nest  in  the  fork  of  one  of  the  small  branches  of 
both  apple  and  maple  trees. 

Purple  Finch:  Nest  is  built  among  the  branches  of  cedars,  firs,  and  other 
coniferous  trees. 

Crow  Blackbird:  The  bulky  nest  of  this  species  is  built  among  the 
branches  of  white  pine  and  other  coniferous  trees.  Sometimes  among 
bushes  near  water  holes. 

Baltimore  Oriole:  The  elm  trees  of  our  New  England  towns  are  the 
favorite  nesting  sites  of  this  bird,  from  the  drooping  branches  of  which 
its  pendulous  nest  is  hung. 

Blue  Jay:  Nests  among  the  branches  of  both  coniferous  and  broad- 
leaved  trees.  In  spite  of  its  handsome  attire,  this  species  should  not  be 
encouraged  to  nest  in  numbers,  for  it  destroys  many  eggs  and  young  of 
our  useful  birds. 

Least  Flycatcher:  Nest  is  placed  in  the  fork  of  a  branch  of  an  apple 
tree,  more  frequently  than  in  that  of  a  tree  of  other  species. 

[17] 


Wood  Pewee:  Nest  is  usually  placed  in  a  fork  of  the  large  branches  of 
an  oak  tree,  and  sometimes  saddled  on  a  large  limb.  The  Wood  Pewee 
prefers  open  woods  of  hardwood  growth,  free  from  underbrush  and 
where  the  oaks  predominate.  The  nest  is  an  exquisite  piece  of  work- 
manship, and  the  outside  is  usually  studded  with  lichens. 

Ruby-throated  Hummingbird:  Nest  is  usually  saddled  on  the  dead  limb 
of  a  hardwood  tree,  sometimes  in  the  forest,  often  in  the  apple  orchard. 
It  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  bits  of  bird  architecture,  and  simulates  a 
knot  or  excrescence  on  a  branch  so  closely,  that  the  observer  would  pass 
it  by  unnoticed,  did  not  the  bird  by  angry  buzzing  about,  betray  her 
secret. 

BIRDS  THAT  NEST  IN  BUSHES  AND 
THICK  SHRUBBERY 

Wood  Thrush:  While  this  species  is  more  or  less  of  a  woodland  bird, 
it  frequently  appears  about  country  estates  possessing  an  abundance  of 
shrubbery,  particularly  that  bordering  a  small  stream  or  artificial  pond. 
Among  this  shrubbery,  or  in  the  fork  of  a  small  sapling  in  moist  woods, 
the  nest  is  built. 

Catbird:  The  nest  of  this  species  is  often  built  in  a  thick  clump  of 
shrubbery  near  the  house,  such  as  lilac  bushes,  azaleas,  and  syringas. 
Clumps  of  high  bush  blueberries,  and  other  shrubs  of  dense  growth  are 
also  favorite  nesting  sites  of  this  bird,  especially  about  the  borders  of 
wet  meadows  and  sluggish  brooks. 

Brown  Thrasher:  This  species  is  not  as  fond  of  nesting  near  our  homes 
as  is  its  cousin  the  Catbird,  preferring  to  build  its  nest  among  the  thick 
clumps  of  scrubby  growth  of  huckleberry  bushes,  scrub  oaks  and  other 
dense  cover,  of  wild  pasture  land,  both  upland  and  swamp.  After  the 
young  are  hatched  the  parent  birds  come  about  our  gardens  and  lawns 
searching  for  insect  food  for  the  young  birds,  and  to  indulge  in  the 
pleasures  of  the  bird  bath. 

Chestnut-sided  Warbler:  The  nest  of  this  species  is  placed  in  the  fork 
of  a  small  hardwood  sapling.  Young  sprout  growth  of  birches,  and  maples 
being  frequently  chosen  for  this  purpose,  as  well  as  hazelnut,  huckle- 
berry, and  other  small  bushes  in  swampy  meadows. 

Yellow  Warbler:  The  nest  of  this  species  is  placed  in  the  fork  of  a 
small  low-growing  tree  or  bush  of  various  hardwood  species  near  the 
borders  of  swampy  meadows,  and  sometimes  midst  the  shrubbery  near 
our  homes. 

Field  Sparrow:  Nests  in  low  growth  of  bushy  uplands  and  fields,  and 
occasionally  the  nest  is  placed  upon  the  ground. 

Chipping  Sparrow:  Nest  of  this  species  is  built  not  only  in  clumps  of 
shrubbery,  but  also  in  apple  trees,  cedars  and  firs. 

[18] 


BIRDS  THAT  NEST  UPON  THE  GROUND 
OR  IN  TUSSOCKS  OF  GRASS 

Ovenbird:  Both  this  bird  and  the  following  species  construct  an  arched 
nest  on  the  ground,  often  beneath  the  protecting  cover  of  a  small 
pile  of  brush  or  fallen  branch,  in  moist  woods  of  oaks  and  maples. 
Frequently  the  nest  is  placed  close  by  the  edge  of  a  woodland  path. 

Black  and  White  Warbler:  As  mentioned  above  the  Black  and 
White  Warbler  nests  upon  the  ground  in  much  the  same  manner  as  the 
Ovenbird.  The  author  has  found  several  nests  of  this  bird  that  were 
placed  under  the  projecting  edge  of  a  leaf-strewn  depression  in  the  oak 
woods,  where  at  some  former  time  large  boulders  had  been  removed. 

Song  Sparrow:  The  nest  of  this  species  is  frequently  placed  in  the  grassy 
overhanging  bank  of  a  brook,  sometimes  in  a  tussock  of  coarse  grass, 
and  occasionally  in  a  low-growing  bush. 

Vesper  Sparrow:  This  species  builds  its  nest  upon  the  ground  in  upland 
pastures. 

Rei>-winged  Blackbird:  Tussocks  of  coarse  grass,  sedge  and  clumps 
of  cat's-tail  are  all  favorite  nesting  sites  of  this  bird  in  marshes  and 
swampy  meadows.  Button-ball  bushes  about  the  borders  of  ponds  and 
streams  are  also  chosen  as  nesting  places  by  this  species. 

Meadow  Lark:  The  nest  of  the  Meadow  Lark  is  placed  upon  the 
ground  among  the  tall  grasses  of  the  hayfield  that  form  an  arch  over  it. 
During  the  operations  of  mowing,  care  should  be  taken  to  prevent  the 
destruction  of  the  nest  by  scythe  or  mower  knives,  by  having  your 
workmen  locate  the  nests,  before  the  operations  of  the  hay  harvest  are 
under  way.  The  Meadow  Lark  is  of  inestimable  value  to  the  farmer  as 
a  destroyer  of  insects  injurious  to  both  hay  and  grain  crops,  and  strong 
efforts  should  be  made  to  increase  the  numbers  of  this  species. 

Bobounk:  The  cheery  Bobolink  nests  upon  the  ground  in  the  midst  of 
the  hayfield  where  the  nest  is  concealed  beneath  a  tussock  or  clump  of 
grass.  This  bird  is  another  valuable  friend  of  the  farmer  and  the  same 
care  should  be  used  in  avoiding  destruction  of  its  nest  during  the  haying- 
time,  as  with  that  of  the  Meadow  Lark. 

Bob- White:  While  the  whistle  of  the  Quail  comes  up  from  the  field, 
the  wife  of  the  merry  piper  is  quietly  brooding  her  eggs,  along  the 
borders  of  the  grain  field  or  mowing  land,  where  she  has  placed  her 
nest, — so  kind  farmer  have  a  care  when  the  hay  or  grain  crop  is  about  to 
be  harvested.  Other  places  are  also  chosen  as  a  nesting  site  by  this  bird, — 
a  clump  of  low-growing  huckleberry  or  bayberry  bushes,  the  edge  of  a 
brush-pile,  or  the  protecting  lower  rail  of  the  old  Virginia  fence,  still 
found  on  some  farms. 

[19] 


Ring-necked  Pheasant:  This  bird  has  become  very  abundant  in  certain 
sections  in  Massachusetts,  and  having  been  given  a  long  season  of  pro- 
tection, comes  about  our  estates  and  nests  frequently  in  close  proximity 
to  our  homes.  The  nest  is  placed  upon  the  ground,  where  it  is  well 
concealed  among  the  thick  grasses  or  clumps  of  bayberry  bushes  and 
trailing  blackberry  vines. 

Ruffed  Grouse:  Nests  on  the  ground  in  open  hardwood  growth,  and 
the  nest  is  sometimes  placed  beneath  a  fallen  tree-top,  or,  the  edge  of 
a  pile  of  brush. 

Spotted  Sandpiper  :  Many  nests  of  this  little  sandpiper  are  constructed 
in  the  strawberry  beds  on  our  farms,  where  the  bird  arranges  a  nest  of 
the  hay  or  straw  used  as  a  winter  protection  to  the  plants,  and  deposits 
her  eggs. 

Woodcock:  Nests  on  the  ground  in  swampy  or  moist  woodlands.  Both 
parents  and  young  visit  the  gardens  at  night  in  search  of  earthworms  and 
grubs,  and  cornfields  of  the  farmer  are  also  favorite  feeding  grounds. 

BIRDS  THAT  NEST  IN  BUILDINGS  OR  ON 
THE  BEAMS  BENEATH  BRIDGES 

Barn  Swallow  :  Nests  on  the  beams  and  rafters  in  barns,  provided  there 
is  an  entrance  and  exit  continually  open.  The  passing  of  our  old-fash- 
ioned New  England  barn  with  its  wide  open  doors  and  windows  in 
roof,  is  the  cause  of  the  disappearance  of  this  beautiful  bird  from  certain 
localities  where  it  was  formerly  abundant. 

Cliff  or  Eave  Swallow:  This  species  is  of  sociable  disposition,  and 
nests  in  colonies,  the  bottle-shaped  nests  of  mud  being  attached  beneath 
the  eaves  or  cornices  of  country  barns  and  outbuildings. 

Chimney  Swift:  Nests  commonly  throughout  Southern  New  England 
wherever  it  can  find  an  unused  chimney.  It  is  a  good  plan  to  watch 
these  birds  and  discover  which  particular  chimney  they  have  chosen  for 
nesting  quarters,  and  thus  avoid  destroying  both  nest  and  young  by  a 
temporary  blaze  in  the  fireplace  during  the  months  of  May,  June  and 
July. 

Phoebe  Flycatcher:  Nests  on  the  beams  and  top  of  wall  beneath  barns, 
on  the  timbers  beneath  bridges,  and  often  on  the  top  rail  or  cornice  of 
the  veranda  of  the  house. 


[20] 


NESTING  BOXES 

SOMETIME  in  the  long  ago  an  American  Indian  made  the 
astonishing  discovery  that  birds  of  certain  species  could  be 
induced  to  occupy  homes  fashioned  for  them  by  human  hands, 
and  promptly  swung  aloft  from  the  tips  of  his  lodge-poles,  cala- 
bashes or  gourds,  the  dried  shells  of  which,  with  entrances  prop- 
erly cut,  made  ideal  nesting-boxes.  In  many  sections  of  the  South, 
the  calabash  is  grown  in  large  quantities  by  the  planters,  and  is 
still  used  as  a  nesting-box  for  Bluebirds,  Purple  Martins,  and 
Wrens  of  several  species,  with  most  successful  results.  After  the 
calabash  has  ripened  and  the  shell  has  become  hardened,  a  cir- 
cular opening  of  a  size  to  admit  the  particular  species  of  bird  for 
which  it  is  intended,  is  cut  in  the  side  of  the  calabash,  at  a  point 
where  its  diameter  is  the  greatest.  The  seeds  and  dried  meat  are 
then  extracted  by  means  of  a  piece  of  wire  bent  into  a  hook. 
Holes  are  made  in  the  neck,  through  which  a  piece  of  stout  tarred 
marline  or  other  cord  is  passed,  also  two  small  holes,  two  inches 
apart,  are  made  in  the  back,  opposite  the  entrance,  through  which 
another  cord  is  passed.  The  top  cord  is  used  for  suspending  the 
gourd  from  a  branch,  and  the  lower  one  is  to  prevent  the  gourd 
from  swaying  too  much  in  a  stiff  breeze.  Two  or  three  quarter-inch 
holes  bored  in  the  bottom  will  serve  for  drainage, — the  shape  of 
the  calabash  being  such  that  more  or  less  water  runs  inside  during 
rain  storms.  Calabashes  have  been  used  with  considerable  success 
as  nesting-boxes  in  one  or  more  towns  in  New  York  State;  but 
for  New  England  and  other  sections  of  the  country  in  the  same 
latitude,  a  nesting-box  constructed  of  boards  will  withstand  the 
wear  and  tear  of  the  elements  far  better,  as  the  calabash  is  rather 
fragile,  and  often  lasts  but  one  season.  In  the  South  their  saving 
grace  is  minimum  cost  and  ease  of  production  in  quantities. 

Nesting-boxes  have  run  the  gamut,  from  tomato  cans  to  elabo- 
rate affairs,  with  roofs  of  burnished  copper,  and  the  manufacturer 
of  bird  houses  has  entered  the  field  with  his  wares.  Many  manu- 
factured commodities  that  are  displayed  in  the  shops  come  from  over 
seas,  and  the  first  nesting-boxes  constructed  on  scientific  lines,  of- 
fered for  sale  in  this  country,  bore  the  mark  "Made  in  Germany." 

[21] 


r/G.   A. 


r/G.   B. 


NEST/NO'BOK       FOR       FLICKELR 


Figure  A.  Vertical  cross  section  showing  construction.  (A)  holes  bored  for 
nails  or  screws  used  in  securing  box  to  post  or  tree  trunk. 

Figure  B.  Front  view  showing  method  of  fastening  top  in  place  by  pushing 
a  round  galvanized  nail  (B)  in  the  hole  on  each  side.  Nails  project  far  enough 
to  be  removed  by  the  fingers.  Type  of  nesting-box  used  by  E.  H.  Forbush. 


[22] 


Baron  Hans  von  Bcrlepsch,  whose  lifetime  has  been  spent  in 
the  study  of  the  nesting-habits  of  European  birds,  evolved  this 
type  of  nesting-box,  copying  as  closely  as  possible  the  works  of 
the  woodpecker  architects.  These  boxes  are  made  from  sections 
of  bark-covered  logs,  the  interiors  of  which  have  been  cut  out 
with  a  special  tool,  to  a  form  and  size  corresponding  with  the 
original,  pear-shaped  nesting-hole  of  the  woodpecker  artisans. 
Entrances  are  then  cut  at  the  proper  angle,  and  of  sizes  suitable 
to  admit  whatever  particular  species  of  bird  is  desired  as  an  occu- 
pant. This  type  of  nesting-box  has  been  used  with  phenomenal 
success  in  Europe,  where  many  hundred  pairs  of  birds  of  various 
species  nested  in  them  upon  the  estate  of  Baron  von  Berlepsch,  in 
Germany.  These  boxes  are  now  manufactured  in  this  country, 
and  we  hope  that  our  own  native  birds  will  take  as  kindly  to  them 
as  have  their  European  cousins.  Nesting-boxes  of  the  von  Ber- 
lepsch type  require  the  use  of  special  tools  and  power  machines 
for  their  manufacture,  and  it  would  be  useless  for  the  amateur  to 
attempt  to  make  these  by  hand.  With  the  possible  exception  of 
the  Downy  and  Hairy  Woodpeckers,  all  our  hole-nesting  species 
will  use  the  rectangular  box  of  boards.  Ernest  Harold  Baynes, 
Meriden,  New  Hampshire,  manufactures  the  von  Berlepsch  boxes 
in  quantities,  and  those  who  may  wish  this  type  of  nesting-box 
may  obtain  them  of  him  in  various  sizes.  With  the  exception  of 
the  Flicker  and  the  Red-headed  Woodpecker,  our  native  species 
of  Woodpeckers  still  persist  in  excavating  their  own  dwellings,  and 
have  not  as  yet  been  induced  to  occupy  these  ready-made  apart- 
ments. Dead  timber  and  decayed  branches  are  the  building  sites 
of  the  Woodpeckers.  Unfortunately  they  also  harbor  both  insects 
and  fungus,  each  a  menace  to  the  health  of  the  forest,  and  the 
forester  is  forced  to  remove  these  plague  spots.  Woodpeckers  are 
valuable  guardians  of  the  forest,  and  efforts  must  be  made  to  re- 
place the  homes  thus  taken  from  them,  by  the  offering  of  a  nest- 
ing-box that  they  will  accept. 

It  is  not  the  intention  of  the  author  to  discourage  the  manufact- 
ure and  sale  of  nesting-boxes,  but  to  aid  those  of  moderate  means 
who  wish  to  attract  birds,  and  cannot  afford  to  pay  the  prices 
charged  by  the  manufacturer,  even  though  the  price  be  but  one 

[23] 


/V-H" 


N  <=--- 


m 


-6  IN. 


:5ss^  Q  ^ssa^-i 


S/D£ 


FRONT 


onof^-rnoNT 


NEST/NG-BOX 


Drawings  show  vertical  cross  section  and  front  view.  Door  hinged  at  bottom 
with  brass  screws  ( B ) . 

Fastened  at  top  with  a  round  galvanized  nail  (N)  pushed  in  from  each  side 
and  easily  removed  when  box  is  to  be  opened.  (H)  hole  in  side  of  door  on  each 
side  to  admit  nails. 

Entrance  cut  on  an  angle  of  sixty  degrees. 

Size  given  above  for  Flicker. 

For  other  species  consult  dimensions  given  in  the  list  of  birds,  "That  Natu- 
rally Nest  in  Cavities  in  Trees,"  etc. 


[24] 


dollar  per  box.  The  motive  in  putting  up  nesting-boxes  is  to  at- 
tract the  birds  and  increase  their  numbers  for  economic  reasons, 
thus  the  cost  is  an  important  factor  in  determining  to  what  extent 
these  boxes  will  be  used  by  persons  of  moderate  means.  Often  a 
person  with  a  large  bank  account,  and  whose  country  estate  is  of  a 
size  to  warrant  the  placing  of  fifty  bird  houses,  will  consider  very 
carefully  the  advisability  of  investing  fifty  dollars  in  bird  homes, 
even  though  he  realizes  the  value  of  birds  as  destroyers  of  insect 
pests. 

Our  American  birds  will  use  a  rectangular  box  quite  as  readily 
as  one  of  the  von  Berlepsch  type.  Wood  is  the  best  material  to 
use.  Nesting-boxes  of  tin  or  other  metal  become  very  hot  when 
exposed  to  the  glare  of  the  sun,  and  those  made  of  earthenware 
are  cold  and  damp. 

A  nesting-box  that  happily  combines  ready  acceptance  by  the 
birds,  is  proof  against  the  depredations  of  both  cats  and  squirrels, 
and  that  can  be  manufactured  at  a  reasonable  cost,  is  the  one  to 
be  used. 

Boards,  nails,  and  the  few  tools  essential  for  the  construction 
of  a  practical  bird  house  that  fulfills  the  above  requirements,  are 
to  be  found  in  every  well  ordered  household,  and  with  the  aid  of 
the  working  plans  contained  in  this  handbook,  the  farmer,  the 
school  boy,  and  the  commuter,  may  in  their  leisure  moments 
enjoy  the  pleasure  to  be  derived  from  their  own  handiwork,  and 
at  the  same  time  contribute  to  the  happiness  of  the  birds. 

White  pine  boards,  seven-eighths  of  an  inch  in  thickness, 
planed  on  one  side  only,  makes  the  best  building  material.  When 
pine  is  not  obtainable,  other  woods  may  be  used.  Old  boards  that 
have  become  weathered  are  first  rate  for  this  purpose,  — only  say 
what  you  think,  **sotto  voce"  when  your  saw  strikes  a  hidden 
nail.  Use  the  planed  surface  for  the  outside  of  the  box,  the  rough 
side  for  the  interior,  and  as  a  further  aid  to  the  young  birds  in 
their  ascent  from  the  nest  to  the  entrance,  score  the  inside  of  the 
board  forming  the  front  with  a  series  of  horizontal  saw-cuts.  Begin 
an  inch  below  the  entrance,  making  them  an  eighth  of  an  inch 
deep  and  a  quarter  of  an  inch  apart.  The  entrance  should  be  cut 
on  an  upward  slant  at  an  angle  of  sixty  degrees,  and  have  its 

[25] 


Fic.       I 


Fio.     Z. 


'Unj* 


Figure  1.  Upper  half  showing  method  of  fastening 
nesting-box  to  top  of  wooden  pole.  A  step  of  the  same 
depth  as  the  thickness  of  the  board  forming  the  back  of 
the  box,  and  long  enough  to  extend  well  up  the  back  and 
ensure  stability,  is  cut  on  the  side  of  the  pole  at  its  top. 
The  lower  edge  of  the  box  will  rest  upon  this.  Fasten 
firmly  with  wood  screws,  one  in  front,  through  the  pro- 
jecting back-board,  and  two  in  back  through  holes  bored 
in  pole  to  prevent  splitting. 

Figure  1.  Lower  half  showing  manner  of  fastening 
pole  to  fence  post  or  stump  of  tree.  Lag  screws  are  used 
on  account  of  the  extra  strength  needed  and  of  course 
must  be  driven  by  means  of  a  wrench.  Bore  the  holes  for 
these  large  enough  to  allow  the  lag  screws  to  go  through 
the  pole  without  splitting  it.  In  the  post  itself,  do  not  bore 
the  holes  too  deep.  Just  start  the  hole  and  then  set  up  the 
lag  screws  firmly  with  the  wrench  until  all  the  loose  play 
is  taken  up. 

Figure  2.  Left-hand  drawing  showing  nesting-box 
mounted  on  iron  pipe.  Right-hand  drawing  showing  bot- 
tom of  box  with  the  flange  or  plate,  threaded  for  pipe, 
firmly  screwed  on.  If  preferred,  the  flange  may  be  dis- 
pensed with  and  the  end  of  the  pipe  flattened  on  an  anvil, 
holes  drilled  for  screws  about  six  inches  apart  and  the 
box  fastened  in  the  same  manner  as  described  for  the 
wooden  pole  except  that  the  step  for  bottom  of  box  to  rest 
upon  is  eliminated. 


[26] 


edge  champfered  or  countersunk  to  make  a  rounded  surface  upon 
which  the  bi^ds  alight  before  entering.  Perches  are  unnecessary, 
and  when  provided  are  used  mainly  by  English  Sparrows.  By 
placing  the  entrance  high  up  under  the  projecting  roof,  and  cut- 
ting it  on  an  upward  slant,  the  birds  are  sheltered  from  both  sun 
and  rain.  Before  cutting  the  entrance,  stain  the  outside  of  the  box 
a  neutral  tint  of  olive  brown  or  gray,  using  an  oil  stain  for  this  pur- 
pose. Not  only  the  edges  of  the  entrance,  but  also  the  interior  of 
the  box,  should  be  fresh  and  clean,  hence  the  care  in  applying  the 
stain.  Boxes  for  the  Tree  Swallow,  that  are  to  be  mounted  on 
poles  and  placed  in  the  open,  may  be  painted  white, — boxes  of  a 
dark  color  becoming  over-heated  when  exposed  to  the  direct  rays 
of  the  sun.  For  the  purpose  of  ventilation,  bore  two  one-quarter 
inch  holes  in  each  side  of  the  box,  about  an  inch  below  the  top 
or  roof.  Obtain  some  coarse  dry  sawdust,  or  some  ground  cork 
from  your  Italian  vender  of  fruit,  in  which  come  packed  his  Mal- 
aga and  Tokay  Grapes.  Before  fastening  the  boxes  in  permanent 
position,  place  in  each  a  quantity  of  this  sufficient  to  cover  the 
bottom  to  a  depth  of  two  inches.  Do  not  overlook  this  important 
detail,  especially  in  the  boxes  designed  for  members  of  the  Wood- 
pecker family.  The  dimensions  given  for  each  individual  nesting- 
box  in  the  list  of  birds,  are  inside  measurements  in  all  instances,  — 
unless  otherwise  specified,  so  whoever  may  construct  bird  houses 
from  these  dimensions  must  allow  for  thickness  of  material  when 
cutting  up  his  stock.  When  many  boxes  are  to  be  made,  it  will 
expedite  matters  to  have  the  stock  run  out  by  a  local  lumber  mill  to 
the  proper  width  for  front,  back  and  sides  of  the  individual  boxes. 
It  is  then  a  very  simple  matter  to  cut  off  the  pieces  as  required. 
A  carpenter's  bench  and  the  following  list  of  tools  are  all  the 
equipment  needed  for  this  work.  Two  saws,  one  a  cutting-off, 
the  other  a  splitting  saw;  a  carpenter's  square;  a  hammer;  a  block 
plane;  a  bit-stock,  with  an  extension  bit  for  cutting  the  different 
sized  entrances,  and  two  or  three  small  drills;  a  two-foot  rule;  a 
stout  screw-driver;  a  sharp  pocket-knife,  and  last  but  not  least, 
pencil  with  soft  lead.  In  addition  you  will  need  a  supply  of  gal- 
vanized nails  and  brass  screws,  of  a  size  best  adapted  to  the  thick- 
ness of  material  used.    Better  begin  with  a  few  wood-working 

[27] 


tools,  and  add  to  the  list  from  time  to  time,  whatever  is  found  to 
be  needed,  than  purchase  at  the  outset  an  expensive  outfit,  many 
tools  of  which  may  prove  later  to  be  of  no  special  value. 

Where  the  nesting-boxes  shall  be  placed  is  the  next  proposi- 
tion. When  the  box  is  to  be  fastened  to  a  tree,  one  should  be 
chosen  that  stands  in  the  open,  along  the  borders  of  country  high- 
ways, edges  of  woodland,  or  open  spots  in  the  forest.  Birds  do 
not  like  the  dense  cover  of  the  forest,  especially  those  nesting  in 
holes  in  trees  or  bird  houses. 

A  light  pole,  twelve  or  fifteen  feet  in  length,  may  have  a  bird 
house  fastened  to  its  top,  and  this  pole  may  then  be  bolted  to  a 
post  in  the  fence  inclosing  your  garden,  meadow  or  orchard.  By 
placing  bird  houses  in  this  manner  at  intervals  of  two  hundred 
feet  along  the  line  of  fence,  Bluebirds  and  Tree  Swallows  may 
thus  be  colonized,  and  a  multitude  of  insects  injurious  to  both 
fruit  and  foliage  will  be  destroyed  by  these  birds  in  the  imme- 
diate vicinity.  At  the  end  of  the  season  poles  and  boxes  may  be 
taken  down,  cleaned  and  stored  away  until  the  following  spring. 
In  the  country  these  poles  are  to  be  had  for  the  labor  of  cutting. 
Bluebirds,  Wrens  and  Tree  Swallows  are  the  only  species  that 
readily  occupy  houses  that  are  placed  on  barns  and  other  farm 
buildings.  The  height  above  ground  at  which  the  various  houses 
should  be  placed  is  given  in  the  chapter  entitled  "Birds  That  We 
Should  Encourage  to  Nest  About  Our  Country  Homes."  A  good 
rule  to  follow  is  to  place  a  bird  house  not  less  than  eight  feet  above 
the  ground  or  more  than  twenty. 

Nesting-boxes  should  not  be  placed  too  near  one  another.  Birds 
are  fickle  in  making  a  choice  of  apartments,  and  will  quarrel  about 
them.  Two  hundred  feet  is  about  the  right  distance  that  each  box 
should  be  from  its  neighbor.  The  beginner,  in  his  enthusiasm,  is 
quite  apt  to  put  up  too  many  nesting-boxes  the  first  season.  Better 
put  out  a  few  the  first  season,  and,  if  results  are  favorable,  in- 
crease the  number  the  next  year.  Where  the  nesting-box  is  placed 
in  the  open,  the  entrance  should  face  the  South  or  West.  Boxes 
facing  the  North  or  East  are  exposed  to  cold,  driving  rainstorms, 
that  are  likely  to  occur  at  any  time  during  the  nesting  season,  and 
which  are  fatal  to  both  eggs  and  young. 

[28] 


The  boxes  should  be  fastened  in  a  vertical  position  when  pos- 
sible, and  if  at  an  angle,  they  should  tip  slightly  forward  rather 
than  backwards.  Late  in  the  month  of  February  or  early  in  March 
is  the  best  time  to  put  up  bird  houses.  There  is  no  particular 
advantage  to  be  gained  by  putting  them  up  late  in  the  autumn, 
and  squirrels  and  wood  mice  soon  fit  them  up  for  winter  quarters. 

The  author  suggests  that  a  plan  of  one's  country  estate  be 
drawn,  upon  which  the  location  of  each  nesting-box  may  be  marked 
and  a  number  assigned  to  it.  Each  nesting-box  will  have  a 
number  corresponding  to  the  one  upon  the  plan.  The  boxes  may 
have  the  numbers  marked  upon  the  under  side  of  each,  or  better 
have  them  placed  at  the  height  of  one's  eyes  at  the  base  of  the 
tree  or  pole  upon  which  the  box  is  fastened.  Much  interesting 
and  valuable  data  may  be  collected  concerning  the  nesting-habits 
of  the  birds  occupying  the  boxes, — length  of  time  from  the  taking 
possession  of  the  box  until  the  young  leave  the  nest;  number  of 
broods  raised  by  each  species  during  the  season;  list  of  species 
using  the  nesting- boxes;  list  of  the  various  species  of  insects 
brought  to  the  young  by  the  parents. 

After  the  departure  of  the  birds,  the  nesting-boxes  should  be 
carefully  cleaned, — the  nests  removed,  and  a  search  made  for  the 
egg  clusters  of  the  gypsy  moth  frequently  deposited  in  bird  houses. 
Sprinkle  in  each  box  a  small  quantity  of  powdered  sulphur  to  free 
them  of  parasites. 

When  possible  the  nesting-boxes  should  be  taken  down  and 
stored  for  the  winter,  replacing  them  again  late  in  the  month  of 
February  or  during  the  first  week  in  March,  as  before  mentioned. 

Cats  and  squirrels  are  enemies  of  birds,  and  if  we  are  to  have 
birds  about  our  homes  in  numbers,  we  must  eliminate  these  pests. 
Cats  climb  trees  without  the  slightest  difficulty,  and  being  noc- 
turnal in  habit,  hunt  at  hours  when  they  are  concealed  from  our 
watchfulness,  climb  to  the  nesting-boxes,  pull  out  the  young  birds 
or  their  parents  and  devour  them. 

Both  species  of  squirrels,  the  red  and  the  gray,  are  destroyers 
of  birds,  their  eggs,  and  young.  The  red  squirrel  is  the  more  vil- 
lianous  of  the  two,  and  should  be  destroyed  on  sight  wherever 
found.  Gray  squirrels  are  found  in  far  too  great  numbers  in  our 

[29] 


parks  and  on  some  large  private  estates,  and  should  be  systemati- 
cally "thinned  out."  On  many  occasions  I  have  seen  a  gray 
squirrel  racing  at  top  speed  along  a  wall  or  fence,  pursued  by  sev- 
eral irate  robins,  furiously  pecking  at  him,  until  the  chase  ended 
by  the  squirrel  taking  refuge  in  the  stone  wall  or  a  hole  in  a  tree. 
Squirrels  will  also  enlarge  the  entrances  to  bird  houses  by  gnaw- 
ing, and  render  them  unfit  for  use. 

A  wide  flange  of  tin  or  galvanized  iron  placed  around  the  tree  or 
post  on  which  the  nesting-box  is  fastened,  will  prevent  cats  from 
climbing,  and  this  arrangement  will  also  keep  squirrels  from 
ascending  to  the  nest,  when  the  tree  stands  at  a  distance  from 
others.  On  a  tree  whose  branches  mingle  with  its  neighbor's,  this 
would  not  avail,  for  squirrels  travel  with  ease  among  the  tree- 
tops,  and  would  leap  from  an  adjoining  tree  to  the  one  containing 
the  nesting-box,  descend  and  devour  its  contents  at  their  leisure. 

A  galvanized  iron  plate,  threaded  for  an  inch  pipe,  may  be  fas- 
tened to  the  bottom  of  the  nesting-box.  A  pipe,  twelve  or  fifteen 
feet  in  length,  may  then  be  substituted  for  the  light  wooden  pole ; 
have  its  top  threaded  and  the  nesting-box  firmly  screwed  on. 
Two  one-quarter  inch  holes,  drilled  in  the  lower  end  of  the  pipe 
about  six  inches  apart,  will  allow  of  its  being  bolted  to  the  fence 
post,  and  I  guarantee  that  no  feline  claws  will  obtain  a  foothold 
upon  this  iron  post  of  small  diameter.  Suitable  lengths  of  discarded 
iron  pipe  in  good  condition,  may  frequently  be  obtained  at  a  low 
figure.  These  will  answer  the  purpose  fully  as  well  as  new  pipe, 
and  any  plumber  will  cut  a  thread  on  each  to  fit  the  bottom-plate. 
Another  method  of  fastening  is  to  flatten  the  end  of  the  pipe  on 
an  anvil  and  drill  two  holes  through  it,  six  inches  apart,  and  fasten 
the  pipe  securely  to  the  back  of  the  nesting-box  with  screws  or 
light  bolts.  In  this  manner  the  box  is  rigidly  secured. 

In  order  to  be  successful  in  securing  as  tenants  our  native  spe- 
cies of  birds,  one  must  keep  a  watchful  eye  upon  the  nesting- 
boxes,  otherwise  they  will  be  pre-empted  by  English  sparrows, 
starlings  and  squirrels.  Nesting-boxes  that  are  put  up  and  left 
unwatched  during  the  nesting  season,  will  be  as  unproductive  of 
results  as  a  farmer's  garden  in  which  the  weeds  have  been  allowed 
to  run  riot. 
[30] 


MARTIN  HOUSES 

THE  Purple  Martin  is  the  largest  of  the  Swallows,  beautiful 
in  color,  form  and  flight,  and  displays  a  fondness  for  man 
by  nesting  always  in  close  proximity  to  our  dwellings.  Some  tribes 
of  North  American  Indians  encouraged  the  presence  of  Martins 
about  their  wigwams,  by  suspending  from  the  lodge  poles,  cala- 
bashes or  gourds  fashioned  into  nesting  boxes,  which  these  birds 
readily  occupied.  The  French  Creoles  of  Louisiana  also  adopted 
this  same  method  in  providing  nesting  places,  the  gourds  in  this 
instance  being  fastened  to  the  top  of  a  pole  set  in  the  ground. 
Martins  are  birds  of  a  sociable  disposition,  and  will  nest  in  com- 
munities when  provided  with  a  nesting  box  containing  many 
apartments,  each  family  living  in  a  state  of  perfect  harmony  with 
its  neighbors  next  door.  Being  a  bird  of  powerful  flight,  it  is  able 
to  travel  long  distances  in  foraging  for  food,  and  a  large  colony  of 
Martins  will  thus  rid  a  wide  area  of  winged  insect  pests,  especially 
during  the  period  following  the  hatching  of  the  eggs  and  until  the 
young  birds  have  left  the  nest.  Disastrous  cold  storms  in  the 
spring  of  1903,  and  wanton  shooting  in  the  southern  states  during 
the  years  following,  sadly  decimated  the  ranks  of  the  Martins. 
Thanks  to  a  wise  legislation,  our  migratory  birds  are  now  the 
feathered  wards  of  the  United  States  Government  and  protection 
at  all  times  is  afforded  them  within  the  borders  of  the  United 
States.  Thus,  barring  destruction  by  the  elements,  the  Purple 
Martin  should  soon  re-establish  itself  in  its  oldtime  abundance 
throughout  southern  New  England,  provided  suitable  nesting  sites 
are  made  ready  for  the  birds.  Let  us  therefore  encourage  the  pres- 
ence of  these  beautiful  birds  by  erecting  a  Martin  house,  such  an 
one  as  will  add  picturesqueness  to  its  environment  of  lawns  and 
shrubbery. 

Martin  Houses  are  really  miniature  reproductions  of  our  own 
dwelling  houses,  and  various  styles  of  architecture  may  be  used  in 
their  design,  and  they  may  contain  few  or  many  rooms,  as  may 
suit  the  fancy  or  ability  of  the  builder.  Unless  one  is  very  proficient 
in  the  use  of  wood-working  tools  and  has  a  well-equipped  carpen- 
ter's  bench,  it  would  be  advisable  to  purchase  a  Martin  house  out- 

[31] 


right  from  a  reputable  builder  of  these  houses.  There  are  in  this 
country  at  least  three  manufacturers  who  furnish  houses  complete 
with  pole,  and  whose  advertisements  appear  in  the  columns  of 
magazines  devoted  to  birds  and  the  out-of-doors.  However  should 
one  wish  to  attempt  the  construction  of  a  domicile  for  Martins, 
he  will  find  that  a  light  (weight)  oak  barrel,  with  entrances 
properly  cut,  and  compartments  fitted  inside,  the  top  finished  with 
a  conical-shaped  roof  and  the  whole  affair  neatly  painted,  makes 
both  a  practical,  and  an  artistic  house.  Each  room  should  be  at 
least  six  inches  or  more  square,  and  seven  or  eight  inches  high, 
with  the  entrance  two  and  one  half  inches  in  diameter.  The  en- 
trance may  be  either  circular  in  form,  or  shaped  like  an  inverted 
U.  The  lower  edge  of  the  entrance  should  be  made  flush  with 
the  floor  of  the  apartment,  thus  facilitating  the  removal  of  old 
nesting-material  and  a  thorough  cleaning  of  each  apartment  at  the 
end  of  the  season.  One  may  use  his  individual  taste  in  adding 
perches  at  the  entrances,  or  in  making  a  little  balcony  completely 
around  the  house,  two  inches  below  the  edge  of  the  entrances,  on 
each  tier  of  apartments.  This  house  should  be  mounted  on  a  pole 
twenty  feet  from  the  ground.  Heavy  galvanized  pipe  makes  an 
ideal  material  for  this  purpose,  the  pipe  being  run  through  the 
centre  of  the  barrel,  where  it  may  be  securely  bolted,  and  the  ground 
end  firmly  imbedded  in  a  barrel  of  cement  sunk  level  with  the  sur- 
face of  the  lawn.  Given  a  coat  of  enamel  paint,  this  pole  is  proof 
against  the  claws  of  any  felines  who  may  seek  to  go  aloft  in  quest 
of  the  feathered  tenants  or  their  progeny. 

While  the  Purple  Martin  is  courageous  and  will  give  chase  to 
any  species  of  Hawk  venturing  near  its  home,  it  seems  to  be 
unable  to  successfully  cope  with  the  English  Sparrow.  This 
undesirable  bird  will,  unless  rigorous  methods  of  extermination 
are  used,  pre-empt  the  Martin  houses  and  destroy  both  their 
eggs  and  young.  There  is  nothing  quite  as  exasperating  to  the 
bird-lover,  as  the  sight  of  a  crowd  of  Sparrow  gamins  sitting  at 
the  entrances  of  the  Martin  houses,  and  yelling  notes  of  derision 
at  the  rightful  owners.  The  English  Sparrow  is  a  canny  bird, 
and  will  desert  a  neighborhood  for  several  months  after  having  been 
shot  at  a  few  times.  Use  a  shot-gun  of  small  bore  persistently 
[32] 


during  the  entire  year,  supplemented  by  wire  Sparrow  traps 
baited  with  cracked  corn  during  the  winter,  and  destroy  their 
eggs  and  nests  wherever  found.  Martins  arrive  during  the  first 
or  second  week  in  May,  and  by  keeping  the  Martin  house  cov- 
ered with  burlap  or  bagging  until  their  arrival,  the  Sparrow  will 
be  forced  to  look  elsewhere  for  quarters,  for  it  is  an  early  breeder, 
and  nests  before  the  Martin  arrives. 

The  European  Starling  has  now  made  its  appearance  in  Massa- 
chusetts and  adjoining  states,  is  fast  becoming  established,  and  is 
increasing  in  numbers.  The  Starling,  like  the  English  Sparrow, 
was  introduced  by  some  thoughtless,  but  well-meaning  individ- 
ual, for  the  purpose  of  combating  the  ravages  of  injurious  insects. 
The  results  have  not  been  satisfactory  from  an  economic  point 
of  view,  from  the  fact  that  the  Starling  has  shown  a  disposition 
to  acquire  a  liking  for  fruits  of  many  sorts  as  well  as  grains. 
While  it  is  true  that  at  certain  seasons  of  the  year  he  destroys 
many  harmful  insects,  that  his  glossy  plumage,  yellow  bill,  his 
sedate  saunterings  about  the  lawn,  his  gurgling,  whistling  notes 
and  droll  antics  aflFord  both  interest  and  amusement  to  the  observ- 
er,— yet  he  can  never  fulfill  the  mission  that  rightfully  belongs 
to  many  species  of  our  native  birds. 

It  is  deplorable  that  the  time  and  energy  wasted  in  unsuccess- 
ful attempts  along  these  lines,  could  not  have  been  devoted  in 
the  years  that  have  gone  to  increasing  the  numbers  of  our  native 
birds. 

The  Starling  will  nest  in  bird  houses,  in  cornices  and  crevices 
of  buildings,  and  in  the  abandoned  holes  of  woodpeckers,  and  is 
thus  a  menace  to  our  native  birds  of  similar  nesting-habits. 

The  owner  of  a  Martin  house  must  use  the  same  vigorous 
methods  of  elimination  with  this  species  as  with  the  English 
Sparrow, — or  put  up  nesting-boxes  for  the  Starling. 

The  Martins  start  on  their  long  southern  journey  late  in  Au- 
gust, or  during  the  first  week  in  September.  Immediately  after 
their  departure,  the  house  should  be  thoroughly  cleaned, — the 
nests  removed,  and  it  is  well  to  look  at  this  time  for  the  egg 
clusters  of  the  gypsy  moth  that  are  frequently  deposited  in  the 
nesting  apartments.  A  little  powdered  sulphur  scattered  on  the 

[33] 


floor  of  each  apartment  will  free  the  premises  of  parasites.  After 
the  process  of  renovating  is  completed,  and  the  house  has  been 
well  aired  for  two  or  three  days,  close  all  the  openings  to  the 
apartments.  Where  the  openings  are  circular  in  form,  large 
corks  may  be  obtained  to  fit  them  snugly,  the  use  of  which  will 
not  render  the  appearance  of  the  Martin  house  as  unsighdy  as 
when  swathed  in  burlap.  The  burlap  or  canvas  covering  is  sug- 
gested as  a  material  to  use  only  when  the  shape  of  the  entrances 
will  not  allow  the  use  of  corks.  The  saving  grace  of  the  burlap 
or  canvas  is,  that  it  is  easily  obtained  and  quickly  applied. 

Professional  builders  of  Martin  houses,  furnish  a  pole  that  is 
hinged  at  the  ground-end.  This  arrangement  allows  the  Martin 
house  to  be  tipped  over  and  placed  upon  the  ground,  or  better, 
a  carpenter's  saw-horse.  In  this  position  it  is  readily  cleaned  and 
may  then  be  covered  from  the  weather  during  the  winter,  and 
again  raised  to  position  in  the  spring  upon  the  arrival  of  the 
Martins.  In  this  manner  the  English  Sparrow  elimination  prob- 
lem is  solved. 

The  Martin  house  should  be  set  up  in  the  open  and  not  too 
near  one's  own  dwelling.  The  midst  of  a  wide  expanse  of  lawn  is 
a  suitable  spot  for  this  purpose.  Martins  like  plenty  of  freedom 
about  their  homes,  so  do  not  erect  the  Martin  house  close  to  trees. 
The  Martin  is  a  bird  fond  of  the  wide  expanse  of  farm  lands  and 
fertile,  flat  valleys  of  slow  flowing  rivers,  and  is  not  found  abund- 
antly in  hilly  or  mountainous  country. 

Martin  houses  may  be  obtained  of  the  following  makers,  all  of 
whom  are  recommended  as  builders  of  thoroughly  practical  domi- 
ciles for  the  Purple  Martin :  The  Audubon  Bird-House  Company, 
Meriden,  New  Hampshire;  Joseph  H.  Dodson,  1200  Associa- 
tion Building,  Chicago,  Illinois;  Jacobs  Bird  House  Company, 
Waynesburg,  Pennsylvania. 


[34] 


BIRD  BATHS 

WATER  is  as  essential  to  birds  as  food,  not  only  to  quench 
their  thirst  and  help  assimilate  their  food,  but  also  for  the 
purpose  of  bathing,  for  birds  are  cleanly  creatures.  In  hot  weather 
and  during  the  nesting  season,  birds  drink  often,  and  bathe  fre- 
quently, and  unless  a  supply  is  furnished  near  at  hand,  must  fly 
long  distances  in  its  quest.  Therefore  bathing  places  should  be 
established  at  intervals  about  one's  grounds,  particularly  if  the 
estate  be  of  great  extent.  The  selection  of  location  is  of  vital 
importance  to  the  welfare  of  the  birds.  However  wary  a  bird  may 
be  at  other  times,  it  is  during  the  pleasure  of  the  bath  that  its 
watchfulness  is  relaxed,  and  caught  off  its  guard,  is  pounced 
upon  by  some  cat  that  has  made  a  successful  stalk  from  the  cover 
of  a  nearby  clump  of  shrubbery. 

To  make  this  danger  as  remote  as  possible,  place  the  bath  in 
the  open  at  some  distance  from  any  cover,  and  also  as  an  addi- 
tional precaution  have  the  bath  mounted,  when  practicable,  on  a 
pedestal  at  least  three  feet  in  height. 

A  bath  may  be  a  simple  one  easily  constructed  by  the  amateur, 
or  it  may  be  an  affair  of  exquisite  design,  such  as  would  fittingly 
adorn  an  Italian  garden,  along  with  its  sundial  and  roses,  and 
from  the  centre  of  which  a  fountain  may  play.  The  possibilities 
of  a  bird  bath  are  limited  only  by  the  purse  of  the  owner  and  the 
skill  of  the  craftsman. 

Frequently  boulders  are  found  scattered  about  over  an  estate, 
the  tops  of  which  have  been  hollowed  by  the  elements  to  a  depth 
and  shape  ideal  for  a  bath.  Such  a  natural  tub  for  the  birds  may 
be  filled  daily  with  water  by  means  of  a  bucket,  and  is  easily 
cleaned  two  or  three  times  a  week  by  using  a  stiff  brush  and 
sponge.  Trailing  or  climbing  vines  planted  about  the  base  of  the 
boulder  will  soon  cover  its  grim  sides  with  a  mantle  of  green,  and 
the  moisture  generated  by  the  boulder  itself,  together  with  that 
supplied  from  the  water  removed  from  the  bath  during  the  pro- 
cess of  cleaning,  will  keep  the  vines  in  a  flourishing  condition  even 
during  the  heat  of  summer.  A  judicious  use  of  the  pruning-shears 
will  keep  the  vines  from  over-running  and  covering  the  bath. 

[35] 


A  boulder  lacking  the  naturally  hollowed  surface,  suitable  for  a 
bird  bath,  may  by  the  aid  of  bricks,  or  better,  rough  stones  and 
Portland  cement,  be  transformed  into  an  excellent  bath  that  may 
be  oval  or  rectangular  in  shape,  or  the  sides  may  follow  the  con- 
tour of  the  boulder. 

A  well-proportioned  bath  should  be  three  feet  long  and  two 
and  one-half  feet  wide.  It  should  have  a  depth  of  one-half  inch 
at  the  edge,  and  the  bottom  should  slope  gradually  toward  the 
centre,  where  the  greatest  depth  should  not  be  over  three  and 
one-half  inches.  Birds  alight  at  the  edge  of  the  bath  and  wade  in 
cautiously  until  they  find  the  depth  that  suits  them,  before  begin- 
ning their  ablutions, — there  is  no  sudden  plunge  into  its  depths. 

In  making  a  permanent  bird  bath  in  the  midst  of  a  lawn,  first 
cut  out  carefully  the  turf,  making  the  opening  large  enough  to 
admit  of  a  siding  of  bricks  set  on  edge  to  be  placed  around  as  a 
retaining  border,  so  that  the  measurements  of  the  finished  bath 
inside  the  brick  edging  will  be  two  and  one-half  by  three  feet. 
Remove  the  earth  to  the  depth  of  twelve  or  sixteen  inches,  placing 
it  upon  a  piece  of  canvas  spread  upon  the  lawn  near  by,  and  thus 
prevent  disfiguring  the  surroundings  with  earthy  debris.  Fill 
this  excavation  with  pieces  of  coarse,  broken  stone  to  within  four 
inches  of  the  top,  and  then  set  the  bricks  up  on  edge  around  the 
borders.  Mix  sharp  sand  and  Portland  cement  together,  using 
only  water  enough  to  form  a  stiff  paste  that  can  be  easily  handled. 

Use  three  parts  of  sand  to  one  of  cement,  and  stir  the  dry 
materials  well  together  before  adding  the  water.  A  shallow  wooden 
box  makes  an  excellent  mortar-bed  in  which  to  prepare  the  mate- 
rial. After  the  cement  has  been  applied  and  has  "set"  long 
enough  so  that  it  may  be  easily  manipulated,  take  your  trowel 
and  smooth  up  ,the  bath.  Begin  at  the  centre  and  work  toward 
the  sides,  so  that  the  bath  will  slope  gently  from  the  edge  to  the 
centre.  Before  the  cement  becomes  too  hard,  a  thin  coating  of 
pure  cement  may  be  rubbed  over  the  three  to  one  formula,  and 
will  make  a  more  waterproof  coating.  By  consulting  a  local  mason, 
who  will  be  glad  to  aid  you,  if  only  by  suggestions,  you  will  be 
able  to  successfully  build  the  bird  bath  without  much  difficulty 
and  in  a  creditable  manner. 
[36] 


On  many  estates  where  the  water  supply  is  furnished  either  by 
the  municipality,  or  from  a  private  storage  tank,  the  bird  bath 
may  be  properly  connected  by  pipes,  so  that  an  unlimited  flow 
of  water  may  be  maintained  throughout  the  season.  Under  these 
favorable  conditions,  a  pipe  may  be  run  up  through  the  centre  of 
the  bath,  and  form  a  fountain,  the  gentle  spray  from  which  is 
welcomed  by  the  birds. 

All  these  suggestions  must  be  worked  out  by  the  individual 
in  accordance  with  the  peculiar  conditions  to  be  met  in  various 
locations.  Where  the  water  supply  is  furnished  by  pipes,  a  cut- 
off must  be  placed  below  the  freezing  point,  so  that  the  water 
may  be  shut  off  during  the  winter  months. 

During  the  winter  season  the  problem  of  furnishing  water  for 
the  birds  is  a  difficult  one,  and  we  must  fall  back  on  our  old 
friend,  the  dealer  in  poultry  supplies,  who  will  furnish  a  drinking 
fountain,  the  water  of  which  is  kept  above  the  freezing  point  by 
means  of  a  kerosene  heater. 


[37] 


3 


6503; 


WINTER  FEEDING  OF  BIRDS 

BIRDS  are  neither  mendicants  nor  loafers,  and  except  under 
the  most  adverse  conditions  of  weather,  do  not  look  to  their 
human  friends  for  a  supply  of  food,  but  cheerfully  and  indus- 
triously gather  the  insects  and  seeds  of  weeds  that  are  everywhere 
found  in  abundance,  and  thus  fulfill  the  economic  part  planned 
for  them  by  nature. 

Insects,  their  larvae,  and  eggs  form  the  principal  diet  of  all 
young  birds,  from  the  time  they  emerge  from  the  shell  until 
they  are  fully  grown  and  strong  on  the  wing,  and  the  quantity 
of  insect  food  consumed  during  this  period  of  a  bird's  life  is  be- 
yond conception. 

The  eggs  of  leaf-devouring  insects  hatch  soon  after  the  un- 
folding of  the  leaves,  in  order  that  the  larvae  may  feed  on  the 
foliage  while  it  is  young  and  tender.  To  counter-balance  this  state 
of  affairs  in  the  plant  and  insect  world,  nature  has  timed  the 
hatching  of  the  eggs  in  the  nest  to  coincide  with  the  first  appear- 
ance of  the  larvae,  which  furnish  the  greater  part  of  the  food  sup- 
ply of  the  nestlings,  whose  demands  for  food  are  insistent.  In 
this  manner  the  insects  injurious  to  vegetation  are  kept  in  check. 

The  migration  of  birds  is  regulated  not  only  by  weather  condi- 
tions, but  also  by  the  scarcity  or  abundance  of  food,  as  the  case 
may  be.  So  long  as  a  bird  is  well  fed,  low  temperatures  have  no 
terrors  for  him. 

Snow  and  ice  cover  the  food  supply  of  the  ground-feeding 
birds,  and  sleet  storms  incase  the  trees  in  an  icy  mail,  that  locks 
up  the  insects  and  their  eggs  securely  from  the  birds  that  are 
dependent  upon  them  for  food. 

These  are  conditions  that  we  must  offset  by  providing  food  of 
various  sorts  for  our  feathered  friends.  All  insectivorous  winter 
birds  are  fond  of  beef  suet,  and  this,  like  all  fats,  is  a  heat  pro- 
ducing food  of  great  value  to  birds  during  periods  of  intense 
cold.  A  good  sized  portion  of  suet  should  be  placed  on  a  piece 
of  galvanized  wire  netting  of  one-half  inch  mesh,  fourteen  inches 
long  and  six  inches  wide.  Fold  the  netting  over  so  that  it  incloses 
the  suet,  and  the  ends  meet  evenly.  Twist  the  wires  on  top  and 
[38] 


SWNGmTm  HOUSE 


Z'^'Xi 


MiMfHuck 


-SIDE  VIEW 


Zinc  or  ot^-n 


OPENTROIO- 
V/£W 


TOOD  H0U5E  Ton  fiAME-^ITlTiS 

3-  fcr*««  ct^  ;ect  A.^  Artfri*.. 

M'Sn^..cktJ>  Jj^VLi.Utrdt;  kra^ct  iMiii"^*,  Ai»i.l>j  ^ iy^ Joist . 


[39] 


sides  together  firmly,  or  use  some  short  pieces  of  wire  for  this 
purpose.  This  wire  sandwich  with  the  suet  filling  may  then  be 
suspended  from  the  branch  of  a  tree,  is  accessible  to  the  birds 
from  either  side,  and  the  wire  mesh  prevents  the  larger  and  more 
greedy  birds  from  carrying  it  away  in  large  morsels.  A  number  of 
these  should  be  prepared  and  distributed  about  one's  country  es- 
tate, and  have  the  supply  of  suet  replenished  when  needed. 

Seed-eating  birds  are  fond  of  Japanese  millet  and  hemp  seed. 
Squash  and  Russian  sunflower  seed,  and  the  meats  of  various 
nuts  are  eagerly  devoured  by  birds  of  many  species.  Dried  cur- 
rants may  be  added  to  the  menu,  and  will  be  appreciated.  A 
small  quantity  of  fine  gravel  or  grit  should  be  accessible  to  the 
birds  at  all  times. 

Our  two  species  of  ganiebirds,  the  Quail  and  the  Pheasant, 
should  be  given  a  mixture  of  grains  along  with  a  supply  of  gravel 
or  grit.  What  is  termed  by  dealers  in  poultry  supplies,  "Mixed 
Scratch  Food,"  is  excellent  for  this  purpose,  for  it  contains  rye, 
wheat,  buckwheat,  Kaffir  corn,  maize,  sunflower  seed,  and  field 
peas.  The  grit  may  be  mixed  with  this  food,  one-third  grit  and 
two-thirds  of  the  grain  mixture.  This  is  essential  to  the  health  of 
the  Quail  and  Pheasant,  and  almost  as  important  as  the  food 
itself.  These  birds  are  often  compelled  by  deep  snows  to  go  for 
several  days  without  food,  and  when  fed  in  this  starved  condi- 
tion will  gorge  themselves  at  once,  and  without  the  fine  gravel  to 
grind  this  food,  the  results  may  be  fatal  to  many  of  them.  Both 
of  these  birds  frequently  visit  the  tracks  of  electric  car  lines  run- 
ning through  suburban  districts,  in  quest  of  the  sand  used  by  the 
motormen  on  the  steel  rails,  at  a  time  when  the  country  is  snow- 
bound. 

All  food  for  birds  should  be  placed  in  a  position  where  it  may 
be  easily  reached,  and  at  the  same  time  not  expose  them  to  attacks 
by  their  enemies.  A  shelter  and  feeding  station  for  the  gamebirds 
is  easily  constructed  from  light  boards.  It  should  be  made  in  the 
form  of  an  open  shed,  six  feet  long  and  five  feet  deep.  The  front 
should  be  four  feet  and  the  back  a  foot  and  a  half  in  height.  This 
is  then  set  up  in  position  in  a  sheltered  spot,  and  the  roof  and 
sides  covered  with  brush,  cornstalks,  or  pine  boughs.  The  open 
[40] 


front  should  face  the  South  or  Southwest.  A  few  flat  stones 
piled  on  the  covering  will  prevent  the  winter  gales  from  sweeping 
it  away.  Place  a  quantity  of  the  mixed  grain  and  grit  along  the 
extreme  back  of  this  open  shelter,  where  it  will  be  away  from  the 
snow  that  may  drift  in  around  the  front  edges  of  this  shelter.  By 
a  litde  extra  labor  a  shallow  trough  can  be  constructed  and  placed 
at  the  back  of  the  shelter,  into  which  the  grain  may  be  poured. 
Chaff,  sweepings  from  the  barn  floor,  or  rye  straw  should  be  scat- 
tered on  the  snow-covered  ground  in  the  vicinity  of  the  shelter, 
for  the  purpose  of  enticing  the  birds  to  their  banquet  hall.  This 
arrangement,  when  the  food  is  regularly  supplied,  assures  the 
birds  that  the  pangs  of  hunger  will  not  be  felt,  no  matter  how 
inclement  the  weather.  When  the  birds  have  found  this  free  lunch 
counter,  they  will  resort  to  it  daily,  with  unfailing  regularity,  as 
long  as  the  country  is  ice  and  snowbound. 

Should  it  be  necessary  to  scatter  food  about  on  the  snow,  with- 
out protection,  first  trample  the  snow  as  hard  as  possible,  and 
then  spread  the  grain  or  other  food  on  the  trampled  spot.  Thrown 
upon  the  snow  without  this  precaution,  it  sinks  at  once,  where  it 
cannot  be  found  by  the  birds,  and  is  simply  a  waste  of  both  time 
and  material. 

For  the  smaller  birds  food  houses  may  be  built.  There  are  two 
forms  of  these  houses  that  have  been  used  in  this  country,  both 
of  which  are  simply  modifications  of  the  types  invented  for  this 
purpose  by  von  Berlepsch  of  Germany. 

One  of  these  is  so  constructed  that  when  it  is  set  in  position  it 
swings  with  the  force  of  the  wind  like  a  weather-vane,  and  the  en- 
trance always  faces  away  from  the  wind  so  that  the  food  and  the 
bird  guests  are  protected  from  the  storms.  The  other  food  house 
is  made  in  the  form  of  a  rectangular  hood  with  glass  sides,  that 
project  below  the  food  shelf  within,  and  both  protect  the  food  from 
snow  or  rain,  and  at  the  same  time  admit  an  abundance  of  light. 
Working  plans  with  correct  dimensions  are  given  on  page  39,  for 
the  swinging  food  house  and  game-bird  shelter. 


[41] 


BERRY  AND  SEED  BEARING  TREES 
AND  SHRUBS 

THE  fruits  of  numerous  shrubs  and  trees,  both  native  and 
exotic,  are  eagerly  sought  after  by  birds  of  many  species,  and 
at  certain  seasons  of  the  year  form  an  important  source  of  food  sup- 
ply to  them.  Many  of  these  retain  their  berries  and  seeds  through- 
out the  winter,  and  some  persist  even  after  the  advent  of  spring. 
No  matter  how  deep  the  snow  may  lie  upon  the  ground,  these 
trees  and  shrubs  hold  high  above  it  their  offerings  of  food  to  the 
birds.  Wherever  an  abundance  of  food  of  this  sort  is  found,  birds 
that  ordinarily  migrate  to  southern  latitudes  at  the  first  hints  of 
cold  weather,  may  be  found  in  small  groups  throughout  the  entire 
winter.  This  is  particularly  true  of  the  Robin  and  the  Bluebird. 
An  abundance  of  fruits  and  a  warm  retreat  at  night  among  the 
dense  conifers,  enables  these  birds  to  withstand  almost  any  down- 
ward plunge  of  the  mercury. 

Every  owner  or  prospective  owner  of  a  country  estate  should 
select  shrubbery  and  trees  that  are  attractive  to  the  birds.  It  is 
possible  to  obtain  the  desired  beauty  of  landscape  architecture,  and 
at  the  same  time  provide  for  the  needs  of  the  birds,  from  the  fact 
that  nearly  all  of  the  shrubs  and  trees  mentioned  in  the  addended 
list  have  charms  of  form  and  color  at  all  seasons.  The  scarlet  and 
orange  fruits  in  masses  supply  a  vivid  bit  of  color  to  the  fall  and 
winter  landscape.  The  fruits  of  these  shrubs  and  trees  are  pre- 
ferred by  the  birds  when  obtainable,  to  the  cultivated  fruits  of 
garden  and  orchard.  Russian  mulberry,  bird  cherry,  and  Chinese 
crab-apple  trees,  planted  along  the  borders  of  the  garden  will  ren- 
der the  fruits  of  garden  and  orchard  immune  from  the  depreda- 
tions of  birds.  The  author  has  included  in  this  list  some  vines  and 
also  a  few  species  of  herbaceous  plants  valuable  from  the  food  sup- 
ply of  their  fruits  and  seeds,  to  many  species  of  birds. 

The  time  of  fruiting  of  these  various  trees,  shrubs,  vines,  and 
herbaceous  plants,  is  given  opposite  each  species,  in  the  list  on  the 
following  pages,  and  may  be  considered  fairly  accurate  for  the 
region  embracing  New  York  and  New  England. 

By  making  a  careful  selection  from  the  varieties  mentioned,  a 

[42] 


continuous  repast  of  varied  fruit  diet  will  he  afforded  the  birds 
during  each  month  through  all  the  round  year. 

Reputable  nurserymen  throughout  the  country  will  supply 
nearly  all  of  these  plants,  also  information  to  the  purchaser  con- 
cerning proper  time,  place  and  method  of  planting  each  variety. 

In  planning  a  new  home  in  a  section  where  our  native  juniper, 
upland  cedar  or  savin,  bayberry,  barberry,  and  high  bush  blue- 
berries are  found,  wisely  conserve  these.  Even  in  planting  a  hedge 
of  privet  or  Japanese  barberry,  one  may  at  intervals  include  a 
stocky  clump  of  the  high  bush  blueberries,  and  thus  gain  lasting 
favor  with  the  birds. 

DEaOUOUS  TREES 

Acer  Negundo  (September  to  March)  Ash-leaved  Maple,  Box  Elder 

Betula  populifolia  (September  to  March)  .     .  American  Gray  Birch 


Ceitis  occidentalis  (Entire  year) 
Comusfior'tda  (August  to  December) 
Crataegus  Crus-Galli  (August  to  March) 
Crataegus  Phaenopyrum  (October  to  April) 
Fraxinus  americana  (September  to  January) 
Larix  decidua  (October  to  March) 
Morus  tartartca  rubra  (June  to  August) 
Prunus  pennsylvanica  (June  to  October) 
Prunus  virginiana  (July  to  August) 
Pyrus  americana  (July  to  March)    . 
Pyrus  Aucuparia  (August  to  March)   . 


.    Hackberry 
Flowering  Dogwood 
Cockspur  Thorn 
Washington  Thorn 
American  White  Ash 
European  Larch 
Russian  Mulberry 
Bird  Cherry 
Choke  Cherry 
Mountain  Ash 
European  Mountain  Ash 


EVERGREEN  TREES 

Juniperus  virginiana  (Entire  year) Red  Cedar 

Juniperus  communis  (Entire  year) Ground  Juniper 

Picea  excelsa  (October  to  March) Norway  Spruce 

Pinus  resinosa  (October  to  March) Norway  Pine 

Pinus  rigida  (October  to  March) Pitch  Pine 

Pinus  Strobus  (September  to  October) White  Pine 

Pseudotsuga  taxifolia  (September  to  March)        .      .      .       Douglas  Spruce 

Taxus  cuspidata  (August  to  September) Japanese  Yew 

Tsuga  canadensis  (October  to  March) Hemlock 


SHRUBS 

A melanchier  canadensis  (June  15  to  October  15) 

Berheris  vulgaris  (July  to  June) 

Berberis  Thunbergii  (August  to  May)  .      .      .      . 
Comus  altemifolia  O^ly  15  to  October)  . 


,    Shad  Bush 

Common  Barberry 

Japanese  Barberry 

Blue  Cornel 


[43] 


Comus  sericea  (August  to  October) Silky  Cornel 

Comus  stolonifera  (June  15  to  March  15)  .  .  .  Red  Osier  Cornel 
Gaylussacia  frondosa  (June  to  September)  .  ,  .  .  .  Dangleberry 
Gaylussacia  baccata  Quly  15  to  October  15)        ....       Huckleberry 

Ilex  vertkillata  (July  15  to  June) Black  Alder 

Ligustrum  vulgare  (July  15  to  April  15)        ....      Common  Privet 

Myrica  cerifera  (July  to  June) Bayberry 

Pyrus  arbuttfotia  (October  to  March) Chokeberry 

Pyrus  Jlonbunda  (September  to  May)        ....      Chinese  Crab-apple 

Rhamnus  cathartica  (August  15  to  April  15) Buckthorn 

Rhus  glabra  (Entire  year) Smooth  Sumach 

Rhus  typhina  (Entire  year) Staghorn  Sumach 

Ribes Jloridum  (June  to  September)  ....  Large-flowering  Currant 
Ribes  lacustre  (June  to  September)       .      .  .      .      Swamp  Gooseberry 

Rosa  Carolina  (August  to  April) Rose,  Wild  Rose 

Rosa  lucida  (August  to  April) Dwarf  Swamp  Rose 

Rosa  nitida  (August  to  April)  .  .  .  .  .  Northeastern  Wild  Rose 
Rosa  rubiginosa  (August  to  April)        .      .  .      .      Sweetbrier  Rose 

Rubus  canadensis  (August  to  October) Low  Blackberry 

Rubus  occidentalis  (July  to  August)       .        Black  Raspberry,  Thimbleberry 

Rubus  strigosus  (July  to  October) Red  Raspberry 

Rubus  nigrobaccus  (July  to  August)  ....  High  Bush  Blackberry 
Sambucus  canadensis  (July  15  to  October  15)      .      .      .       Common  Elder 

Sambucus  racemosa  (June  to  August  15) Red-berried  Elder 

Symphoricarpus  racemosus  (September  to  March)  ....  Snowberry 
Symphoricarpus  vulgaris  (September  to  May)  .  .  .  Indian  Currant 
Vaccinium  corymbosum  (June  15  to  September  15)  High  Bush  Blueberry 
Vaccinium  pennsylvanicum  (June  15  to  September  15)  Low  Bush  Blueberry 

Viburnum  cassinoides  (August  to  January) Withe  Rod 

Viburnum  dentatum  (July  15  to  October) Arrow  Wood 

Virbumum  lentago  (August  15  to  April) Sheepberry 

Viburnum  Opulus  (July  15  to  April)  ....  High  Bush  Cranberry 
Viburnum  prunifolium  (August  to  January) Black  Haw 

VINES 

Celastrus  orbiculatus  (October  to  April)  ....  (False  Bittersweet) 
Ampelopsis  quinquefolia  (August  15  to  February)       .      .     Virginia  Creeper 

Vitis  cordifolia  (July  to  October) Frost  Grape 

Vitis  labrusca  (August  to  October) Fox  Grape 

HERBACEOUS  PLANTS 

Aralia  nudicaulis  (July  to  September  15) Sarsaparilla 

Fagopyrum  esculentum  (August  to  October) Buckwheat 

Fragaria  virginiana  (June  1  to  October) Strawberry 

Helianthus  annuus  (August  to  October) Sunflower 

Panicum  Crus-Galli  (August  to  October)  ....  Japanese  Millet 
Phytolacca  decandra  (August  to  April  1) Pokeberry 

[44] 


AQUATIC  PLANTS 

SMALL  ponds  containing  areas  of  twenty  acres  or  less,  and 
whose  number  is  legion,  dot  the  surface  of  the  states  of 
Massachusetts,  Rhode  Island,  and  Connecticut.  Many  of  these 
ponds  should  be  set  aside  as  sanctuaries  for  wildfowl,  where  all 
shooting  or  other  forms  of  molestation  are  stricdy  prohibited,  and 
where  our  wild  ducks  of  many  species  would  find  a  quiet  resting 
place  and  food  during  their  migrations,  inducements  that  eventu- 
ally would  tempt  many  that  now  journey  to  the  far  North  Country, 
to  tarry  and  nest. 

The  northern  breeding  grounds  of  many  species  of  wild  ducks 
are  becoming  more  limited  in  area  each  year.  The  demands  of  the 
agriculturist  must  be  fulfilled,  with  the  result  that  marshes  and 
swamps,  once  the  summer  homes  of  myriads  of  wildfowl,  have 
been  drained;  and  where  the  sedge-grass,  cat-tails,  and  alders  held 
sway,  now  waves  the  wheat  and  corn.  New  England  must  offer  a 
home  to  these  evicted  wildfowl,  and  let  us  set  about  it. 

In  travelling  about  our  Southern  New  England  country  it  is 
disheartening  to  note  the  dearth  of  wildfowl  about  the  lakes  and 
ponds.  Scores  of  sheets  of  water  are  passed  while  journeying  by 
trolley  or  motor  car,  upon  whose  blue  surface  float  no  groups  of 
wild  ducks.  Protection  on  their  feeding  grounds  and  the  planting 
of  aquatic  plants  attractive  as  food,  are  two  rational  methods  by 
which  these  barren  wastes  of  water  may  be  populated  with  charming 
wildfowl,  that  add  so  much  to  the  beauty  of  the  country  by  their 
presence. 

There  are  three  species  of  aquatic  plants  eagerly  sought  after  by 
wildfowl  as  food,  all  of  which  are  fairly  easily  grown  in  this  section 
of  New  England.  These  are  wild  rice,  wild  celery  and  wapato,  or 
duck  potato. 

Wild  rice  may  be  sown  late  in  the  autumn  just  before  the  ponds 
are  frozen,  or  early  in  the  spring  soon  after  the  ponds  are  free  of 
ice.  When  wild  rice  seed  is  to  be  sown  in  the  spring  time,  it  should 
be  kept  moist  until  the  time  arrives  for  the  sowing.  If  allowed  to 
become  dry,  it  will  not  germinate.  Wild  rice  is  naturally  repro- 
duced from  the  seed  that  shatters  out  from  the  ripe  head  in  the 

[45] 


autumn,  sinks  to  the  bottom  of  the  pond  where  it  lies  dormant  in 
the  soft  mud  during  the  winter,  to  sprout  and  grow  with  the  ad- 
vent of  the  vernal  sunshine.  Wild  rice  should  be  sown  in  ponds 
having  a  bottom  composed  of  soft  mud,  and  where  the  depth  of 
water  is  from  two  to  four  feet.  It  seems  to  thrive  best  in  ponds 
having  an  outlet,  such  ponds  having  more  or  less  of  a  current,  and 
will  not  persist  in  stagnant  water.  Wild  rice  is  an  annual,  and  should 
be  sown  in  large  quantities  to  insure  success,  for  wildfowl  are  very 
fond  of  this  plant,  both  seeds  and  tender  shoots,  and  frequently 
so  thoroughly  glean  the  seeds  from  the  bottom  of  the  pond,  that 
few  are  left  to  perpetuate  a  future  harvest.  When  once  thoroughly 
established  it  will  reproduce  plants  each  season.  Sixty  pounds  of 
wild  rice  seed  should  be  sown  to  the  acre.  Wild  rice  will  also 
flourish  along  the  borders  of  streams,  the  waters  of  which  are 
slighdy  brackish  and  where  there  is  an  ebb  and  flow  of  the  tide. 

Wild  celery  seed  should  be  sown  in  the  autumn,  or  plants  ob- 
tained and  set  out  in  the  summer  months.  Wild  celery  grows  best 
in  ponds  having  a  soft,  muddy  bottom,  and  where  the  depth  of 
water  is  from  two  to  eight  feet.  It  thrives  in  both  fresh  and  slightly 
brackish  water.  The  seed-pods  are  from  three  to  five  inches  in 
length  and  from  one  eighth,  to  a  quarter  of  an  inch  in  diameter. 
These  pods  should  be  cut  into  small  pieces,  soaked  in  water  until 
they  will  sink,  or  imbedded  in  balls  of  mud  or  clay  and  dropped 
from  a  boat.  Sow  at  the  rate  of  a  bushel  and  a  half  to  the  acre. 
Wild  celery  is  a  perennial  and  propagates  itself  not  only  by  seed, 
but  also  by  shoots,  or  runners,  the  new  plants  bearing  seed  about 
the  third  year. 

Wapato  plants  should  be  set  out  during  the  months  of  June, 
July,  and  August,  around  the  borders  of  ponds  having  a  thick, 
muddy  bottom,  setting  the  plants  in  water  at  least  six  inches  in 
depth  at  its  lowest  mean  level,  for  while  these  plants  will  grow  in 
marshy  soil,  they  wiU  not  be  available  as  food  for  wildfowl  unless 
planted  where  water  will  cover  them  during  the  autumn,  when 
wildfowl  visit  the  ponds  in  large  numbers.  Wild  ducks  in  feeding, 
either  dive  or  tip  up  and  dabble  below  the  surface  and  pick  ofiF 
the  young  tubers  of  these  plants  of  which  they  are  very  fond. 

The  leaves  of  the  wapato  are  arrow  shaped  and  the  plant  attains 

[46] 


an  average  height  of  alx)ut  two  feet,  and  propagates  itself  from 
both  bulbs,  runners  and  seeds.  In  setting  out  these  plants,  use  a 
trowel  and  set  them  firmly  in  the  mud,  about  six  feet  apart.  Set 
at  this  distance,  it  will  require  one  thousand  plants  to  the  acre. 

It  is  important  that  seeds,  plants,  and  bulbs  of  these  and  all 
other  aquatic  plants,  be  kept  moist  until  the  time  for  planting 
arrives.  The  seed  of  wild  rice  and  wild  celery  may  be  carried 
through  the  winter  in  cold  storage  in  barrels  of  water  kept  at  a 
temperature  slightly  above  the  freezing  point.  Wild  celery  plants 
and  wapato  bulbs  should  be  "heeled  in"  in  moist  earth,  and  kept 
well  watered  until  ready  to  be  transplanted. 

Wild  Millet  {Echinochloa  Crus-Galli)  is  also  well  worth  consid- 
eration as  a  food-plant  for  wild  ducks.  This  species  is  not  like  the 
preceding,  strictly  aquatic.  Neither  do  the  seeds  require  to  be  kept 
moist  until  the  time  of  sowing.  It  is  a  rank  growing  grass,  vary- 
ing in  height  from  one  to  six  feet,  according  to  the  character  of 
the  soil. 

It  should  be  sown  from  May  first  to  July,  in  moist  heavy  soil, 
along  the  edge  of  marsh,  lake  or  pond,  and  is  said  to  grow  in 
water  a  foot  in  depth. 

The  seeds  shatter  from  the  large  fruiting  heads  to  the  ground 
or  water,  and  the  plant  will  reseed  itself.  Sow  at  the  rate  of  fifty 
pounds  to  the  acre.  Many  species  of  wild  ducks  seek  their  food 
on  the  shore  as  well  as  in  the  water,  and  this  plant  is  one  that 
furnishes  these  waterfowl  with  a  land  food  supply.  In  passing  it 
might  be  well  to  mention  the  fact  that  Wood  Ducks  frequent  the 
vicinity  of  water-oaks  in  the  autumn,  the  acorns  of  which  they  are 
very  fond. 

To  those  who  may  be  interested  in  the  further  study  of  wild 
duck  foods,  attention  is  called  to  the  following  bulletins  issued  by 
the  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture: — "Three  Import- 
ant Wild  Duck  Foods,"  Bureau  of  Biological  Survey,  No.  ^1; 
"Five  Important  Wild  Duck  Foods,"  Bureau  of  Biological  Survey, 
No.  S7;  "  Eleven  Important  Wild  Duck  Foods,' '  Bulletin  of  the 
United  States  Department  of  Agriculture,  No.  20  S.  These  pub- 
lications may  be  obtained  by  addressing  the  United  States  Bureau 
of  Biological  Survey,  Washington,  D.  C. 

[47] 


THE  ESTABLISHMENT  OF  A 
SANCTUARY 

THE  motive  of  establishing  a  sanctuary  is  to  perpetuate  our 
useful  and  interesting  wild  birds  and  quadrupeds.  No  move- 
ment of  the  present  day  tending  toward  the  conservation  of  our 
wild  life,  is  of  more  vital  importance,  or  will  have  more  far-reach- 
ing results,  than  the  establishing  and  maintaining  of  sanctuaries. 
Every  sanctuary  created  is  an  aid  to  the  Federal  Government  in 
its  work  of  protection  of  the  migratory  birds,  by  providing  quiet 
nesting  places,  abundance  of  food,  and  freedom  from  molestation. 

A  game  preserve  differs  from  a  sanctuary  in  this  fundamental 
principle :  that  it  is  maintained  for  the  specific  purpose  of  afford- 
ing sport  in  the  form  of  shooting,  to  the  owners  thereof,  and  the 
gamebirds  and  animals  are  conserved  within  this  prescribed  area 
solely  for  the  pleasure  of  the  sportsmen.  The  owners  of  a  game 
preserve  have  the  right  to  protect  this  land  from  trespass,  by  post- 
ing notices  prohibiting  shooting.  While  theoretically  a  game  pre- 
serve is  maintained  for  the  purposes  of  increasing  the  numbers  of 
gamebirds  and  animals  for  the  pleasure  of  sport,  it  will  be  found 
upon  investigation,  that  in  many  preserves  the  members  actually 
do  very  little  shooting,  and  contribute  to  the  welfare  of  the  out- 
lying country,  by  arresting  poachers,  by  feeding  the  gamebirds 
during  the  severe  weather  of  winter,  and  by  destroying  their  nat- 
ural enemies. 

Within  the  boundaries  of  a  sanctuary,  however,  all  shooting 
and  other  methods  of  destruction  and  disturbance  are  strictly  pro- 
hibited, and  the  birds  and  animals  are  encouraged  to  increase  in 
numbers.  Landowners  who  make  of  their  properties  a  sanctuary, 
signify  their  desire  to  become  public  benefactors,  by  foregoing  the 
pleasure  of  shooting  on  their  own  estates. 

The  natural  yearly  increase  of  gamebirds  and  animals  would 
overflow  the  boundaries  of  the  sanctuary  and  eventually  re-stock 
the  areas  open  to  free  shooting.  The  establishment  of  a  sanctuary 
becomes  a  mutual  benefit  to  both  sportsman  and  farmer,  for  in 
conserving  the  gamebirds  and  destroying  their  natural  enemies, 
the  birds  useful  for  economic  reasons,  are  at  the  same  time 
[48] 


increased  in  numbers,  with  the  result  that  the  farmer's  crops  arc 
less  ravaged  by  injurious  insect  pests. 

The  English  gamekeeper  in  his  desire  to  increase  the  numbers 
of  gamebirds  upon  the  estate  in  his  charge,  carried  on  his  work 
of  extermination  of  their  enemies  so  thoroughly,  that  he  unwit- 
tingly conserved  the  useful  non-gamebirds.  The  pheasants,  the 
grouse  and  the  partridges  were  his  solicitous  charges,  but  weasels, 
hawks,  and  owls,  and  other  "vermin  "  prey  also  upon  the  smaller 
birds,  so  that  a  decrease  of  "vermin"  spelled  an  increase  of  use- 
ful birds,  with  the  result  that  today  there  are  more  birds  to  the 
square  mile  in  thickly-populated  Great  Britain  than  in  any  other 
civilized  country.  This  is  mentioned  as  an  illustration  of  the  vital 
importance  of  not  relaxing  for  a  moment  the  campaign  of  exter- 
mination that  must  be  waged  against  the  enemies  of  wild  life  found 
within  the  borders  of  a  sanctuary. 

It  is  the  earnest  desire  of  the  author,  that  public  interest  in  this 
important  work  be  so  thoroughly  aroused,  that  a  sanctuary  or 
wild  life  reservation  will  be  established  and  permanently  main- 
tained in  every  city  and  town,  not  only  in  the  Commonwealth  of 
Massachusetts,  but  also  in  each  state  in  the  Union.  Public  parks, 
and  other  municipal  and  state  reservations,  are  one  form  of  sanc- 
tuary, but  too  often  are  so  overrun  by  a  crowd  of  noisy  pleasure- 
seekers  as  to  be  entirely  inhospitable  to  our  shy  wild  creatures. 
We  need  a  place  of  seclusion,  with  thick  coverts,  and  not  the 
newspaper-strewn  lawn  or  paths  littered  with  the  debris  of  former 
luncheons,  conditions  that  unfortunately  exist  in  most  public  parks. 

There  are  two  methods  by  which  landowners  may  form  of  their 
holdings  a  sanctuary.  One  is  to  simply  post  the  proposed  area 
with  notices  forbidding  shooting  or  trapping  thereon,  and  calling 
attention  to  the  fact  that  the  owners  of  said  land  wish  to  protect 
the  wild  life  within  this  territory,  and  ask  the  co-operation  of  all 
persons  in  this  work.  Appeal  to  the  better  nature  of  the  individ- 
ual and  show  him  that  there  is  no  selfish  motive  in  this  restriction 
of  shooting,  but  rather  a  wholesome  desire  on  the  part  of  the  pro- 
prietors to  increase  the  wild  life  for  the  benefit  of  the  entire  com- 
munity. Try  moral  suasion  first,  and  if  that  fails,  use  a  club.  The 
proprietors  must  stand  firmly  in  their  rights,  and  not  fear  to  pros- 

[49] 


ecute  all  violators,  who  may  commit  depredations  within  the  sanc- 
tuary. The  following  is  submitted  as  a  form  of  notice,  that  should 
offend  no  person  who  aspires  to  good  citizenship: 

NOTICE 

THIS  tract  of  land  has  been  set  aside  as  a  Sanctuary  for  our 
Wild  Birds  and  Animals,  where  in  safety  they  may  find 
food  and  rear  their  young.  Will  you,  by  refraining  from  Shoot- 
ing, or  any  other  means  of  Disturbance,  help  us  to  increase  the 
numbers  of  Useful  Birds  and  Animals. 

Please  do  not  heedlessly  cut  the  Trees,  or,  uproot  the  Wild- 
flowers,  and  above  all  cause  Forest  Fires  by  the  careless  use  of 
matches,  cigars  or  cigarettes. 

VIOLATORS  WILL  BE  PROSECUTED. 

{Signatures  of  proprietors. ) 

Many  a  person  who  for  the  sum  of  one  dollar,  procures  a 
Hcense  to  shoot,  has  little  regard  for  the  property  rights  of  land- 
owners. He  tears  down  stone  walls,  leaves  the  pasture  bars  open 
for  a  ready  exit  of  the  farmer's  cattle,  and  perpetrates  many  other 
nuisances  that  arouse  the  owner's  ire  to  such  an  extent,  that  he 
posts  his  land  against  all  entry  thereon.  This  is  the  type  of  per- 
son to  whom  the  objects  of  forming  a  sanctuary  would  make  no 
appeal,  and  who  would  not  hesitate  to  trespass  within  the  pro- 
tected area,  whenever  the  chances  of  discovery  by  the  owners 
would  be  remote  enough  to  promise  an  easy  escape. 

The  second  method  is  the  presenting  to  the  Commissioners  of 
a  petition  drawn  in  the  following  manner  and  signed  by  the  vari- 
ous landowners  whose  properties  adjoin: 

1916. 

To  the  Board  of  Commissioners  on  Fisheries  and  Game: 

The  undersigned  being  owners  of  land  and  water  in  the  Town,  (or 

Towns)  of , 

respectfully  petition  that  you  will  order  a  close  season  for  one  or  more 
periods,  not  exceeding  five  years  each,  on  all  wild  birds  and  quadrupeds 
within  the  area  of  the  laijd  shown  on  a  plan  filed  herewith. 

The  petitioners  being  owners  of  said  land  in  question  hereby  consent 
to  such  a  close  season. 

Respectfully,     {Signatures  of  proprietors.) 

[50] 


A  sanctuary  is  thus  formed  in  accordance  with  Chapter  410, 
Acts  of  1911,  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts.  In  this  manner 
of  procedure  the  Commonwealth,  through  the  Commissioners  on 
Fisheries  and  Game,  instead  of  the  individual  landowner,  as- 
sumes the  responsibility  of  enforcement  of  law  against  all  violators. 
This  method  is  the  better  of  the  two,  from  the  fact  that  persons 
usually  have  more  respect  for  property  owned  by  or  under  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  state,  than  for  that  of  a  private  citizen. 

One  difficulty  has  been  experienced  in  petitioning  the  Commis- 
sioners to  close  certain  tracts.  They  seem  loath  to  grant  these  re- 
quests, fearing  that  by  pre-empting  the  shooting  areas  they  will 
lose  the  support  of  their  constituents,  the  sportsmen.  The  Com- 
missioners, however,  agree  that  something  drastic  must  be  done  to 
help  keep  up  the  supply  of  game  that  is  annually  sought  after  by 
nearly  seventy  thousand  licensed  sportsmen  throughout  this  Com- 
monwealth. Artificial  propagation  of  gamebirds  is  an  expensive 
proposition  and  we  must  look  to  the  sanctuaries  as  a  feasible  solu- 
tion of  this  perplexing  problem. 

The  following  words  of  Hon.  Joseph  Kalbfus,  Secretary  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Commissioners  of  Game,  and  one  of  the  best  in- 
formed and  most  practical  men  engaged  in  the  conservation  of 
wild  life  in  this  country  today,  are  very  apropos  concerning  the 
value  of  sanctuaries : 

"I  have  also  given  the  proposition  of  raising  our  native  gamebirds, 
such  as  wild  turkeys,  ruffed  grouse,  and  quail  in  captivity,  considerable 
thought  and  attention,  I  have  visited  several  game  farms,  some  operated 
by  public  officials,  some  by  private  individuals.  I  have  seen  some  few 
ruffed  grouse  that  had  been  reared  strictly  in  captivity.  I  saw  some  hun- 
dred or  more  quail  reared  in  the  same  way,  and  have  report  of  several 
hundreds  of  other  birds  of  like  character  raised  in  the  same  way.  I  also 
know  of  very  many  instances  where  efforts  in  this  direction  have  been 
rewarded  by  failure,  and  feel  that  at  the  best  an  undertaking  of  this  kind 
is  extremely  precarious,  the  return  very  uncertain  to  say  the  least,  and  from 
the  data  I  have  collected  I  am  led  to  believe  that  through  the  extermina- 
tion of  vermin,  including  house  cats  and  crow^s,  and  the  feeding  of  our 
wild  and  free  grouse  and  turkeys  and  quail  during  severe  winter  weather 
a  far  greater  return  will  be  secured  in  every  county  of  this  State  than  can 

[51] 


be  secured  to  the  entire  State  through  or  because  of  the  establishment  of 
a  game  farm  where  the  rearing  of  these  birds  in  captivity  is  undertaken, 
no  difference  how  extensive  that  farm  might  be  or  how  much  money  might  be  spent 
in  that  direction. 

Each  one  of  the  six  sanctuaries  created  in  this  Commonwealth  and 
known  as  Game  Preserves,  the  same  being  simply  tracts  of  land  surrounded 
by  a  single  wire,  a  fire  line  and  a  line  of  notices  calling  the  attention  of 
the  public  to  the  purpose  of  the  enclosure,  whereon  no  hunting  is  per- 
mitted by  any  person  at  any  time,  and  whereon  no  wild  cat,  or  domestic 
cat,  or  fox,  or  crow,  or  other  animals  classed  as  vermin  are  permitted  to 
live,  has  produced  more  game  of  the  kind  peculiar  to  that  section;  turkeys  where 
turkeys  are  found,  grouse  and  quail  where  these  birds  thrive,  than  has  been 
produced  on  any  or  all  of  the  game  farms  in  all  the  United  States ^  where  such 
game  has  been  raised  strictly  in  captivity ;  this  too  where  the  cost  of  main- 
tenance and  production  upon  the  sanctuaries  does  not  count  in  pennies  as 
compared  with  dollars  or  tens  of  dollars  expended  by  the  game  farm.  The  Resi- 
dent Hunter's  License  will  make  possible  one  or  more  sanctuaries  of  the 
above-described  kind  in  every  county  of  this  Commonwealth  wherein  the 
State  owns  land  and  from  which  gamebirds  may  be  trapped  for  distribu- 
tion to  sections  where  the  State  owns  no  land." 

The  author  wishes  to  state  for  the  benefit  of  those  who  may 
desire  to  establish  a  sanctuary  in  accordance  with  the  Acts  of 
1911,  Chapter  410,  that  the  Commonwealth  assumes  no  control 
of  land  thus  set  aside,  other  than  the  establishing  of  a  close  season 
within  the  prescribed  area,  and  the  protection  of  all  wild  birds  and 
animals  found  therein.  The  landowners  have  the  right  to  transfer 
their  real  estate,  carry  on  farming  operations  or  engage  in  any 
legitimate  pursuit  of  either  business  or  pleasure. 

Whether  a  sanctuary  be  established  as  a  private  affair  and  under 
the  direct  supervision  of  the  landowners,  or  whether  it  be  estab- 
lished in  accordance  with  the  Act  of  the  Commonwealth,  is  optional 
with  the  proprietors,  but  far  more  important!-  than  either  is  the 
choice  of  a  suitable  location. 

In  selecting  a  tract  of  country  to  be  used  as  a  sanctuary,  choose 
a  section  that  contains  a  diversity  of  physical  conditions,  and  where 
a  fair  number  of  gamebirds  are  already  established.  A  tract  of 
country  embracing  one  thousand  acres,  may  be  found  that  has  the 
ideals  sought, — both  wild  and  cultivated  land,  small  ponds  and 
[52] 


streams,  and  well  wooded  areas,  comprising  both  broad  leaved  and 
coniferous  trees.  One  or  more  thickly  planted  groves  of  white 
pine,  and  some  old  apple  orchards  would  make  a  most  happy 
combination.  The  white  pine  and  the  apple  tree  are  much  be- 
loved by  the  RufiFed  Grouse,  and  as  the  establishment  of  sanctu- 
aries will  tend  to  bring  back  this  fine  bird  in  numbers,  we  hope 
that  all  owners  of  woodland  will  reforest  their  properties  with 
white  pines  and  spare  the  old  apple  trees.  The  pine  tree  oliFers  a 
snug  shelter  to  the  Grouse  on  winter  nights,  and  during  the  day 
the  Grouse  frequent  the  sunny,  southern  exposures  of  the  grove 
where  it  finds  shelter  from  the  north  wind.  Whoever  sets  out  a 
plantation  of  white  pine,  confers  a  lasting  favor  upon  the  Grouse 
and  its  admirers.  What  is  more  characteristic  of  the  New  England 
country,  than  the  Ruffed  Grouse,  and  the  white  pine? 

Ponds  having  an  area  of  over  twenty  acres  should  not  be  included 
within  the  boundaries  of  a  private  sanctuary.  Such  ponds  are  known 
as  **  Great  Ponds  "  and  the  public  has  a  right  of  access  to  them  at  all 
times  for  the  purpose  of  legitimate  shooting,  fishing  or  boating. 
This  renders  them  both  unsuitable  and  ineligible  for  the  purpose 
of  a  sanctuary.  This  question  of  size  is  important,  from  the  fact 
that  all  ponds  less  than  twenty  acres  in  extent  may  be  controlled 
by  the  riparian  owners,  and  thus  be  incorporated  as  a  sanctuary. 
The  proprietors  of  a  sanctuary  may  indulge  in  fishing  without 
disturbing  the  wild  creatures,  and  where  a  trout  brook  is  found 
within  its  borders,  it  may  be  profitably  stocked  with  fingerlings  each 
season,  and  furnish  sport  to  those  who  are  fond  of  the  **  gentle 
art  of  angling.'*  The  ponds  may  also  be  stocked  with  bass.  In 
this  manner  the  element  of  sport  may  be  introduced  within  the 
sanctuary,  and  while  the  angler  is  busy  along  the  stream  or,  still- 
fishing  on  the  pond,  he  at  the  same  time  will  have  the  pleasure  of 
observing  the  wild  life  about  him,  that  takes  kindly  to  the  unob- 
trusive fisherman.  Thus  will  he  be  amply  repaid  for  his  self-denial 
as  a  sportsman  in  foregoing  the  pleasures  of  shooting  within  this 
restricted  area  created  by  his  fellow  sportsmen  and  himself. 

Whenever  practicable  it  is  a  wise  plan  to  have  the  tract  of  land 
to  be  used  as  a  sanctuary  definitely  bounded  on  all  sides  by  the 
public  highways.  This  method  leaves  no  question  of  doubt  as  to 

[53] 


where  the  boundaries  begin  or  end,  and  also  offers  a  conspicuous 
place  for  the  posting  of  notices,  where  they  will  surely  be  seen, 
even  by  the  casual  observer.  The  roads  or  highways  also  act  as 
safe-guards  against  the  spread  of  forest  fires,  and  in  addition  should 
be  cleared  of  brush  on  both  sides  for  a  space  of  twenty-five  or 
thirty  feet,  and  have  the  brush  piled  and  burned  at  the  time  pre- 
scribed by  the  local  fire-warden. 

Woodcock,  Ruffed  Grouse,  Quail,  Pheasants,  Wild  Ducks, 
Deer  and  Hares  are  frequently  found  within  a  tract  of  land  em- 
bracing a  thousand  acres.  All  the  briery  tangles  and  alder  swales 
should  be  left  undisturbed  and  their  growth  encouraged.  These 
retreats  are  needed  by  the  Ruffed  Grouse  and  other  gamebirds 
when  pursued  by  their  winged  enemies, — conditions  that  unfor- 
tunately are  lacking  in  many  state  reservations,  where  the  under- 
growth has  been  so  thoroughly  removed  that  no  gamebirds  can  be 
induced  to  stay.  The  forester  should  leave  here  and  there  sizable 
clumps  of  tangle,  if  he  wishes  these  birds  to  tenant  his  woodlands. 

Woodcock  nest  early  in  the  spring  season  among  moist,  swampy, 
hardwood  growth,  and  after  the  young  birds  are  able  to  fly  well, 
the  entire  family  resort  to  the  cornfields,  where  they  probe  for 
earthworms  about  the  roots  of  the  corn-stalks.  They  also  visit  the 
lawns  and  kitchen  garden  in  search  of  grubs  and  earthworms.  Early 
in  September,  the  Woodcock  seeks  the  uplands  and  is  found  among 
the  birches  and  huckleberry  bushes  of  the  pasture.  After  the  first 
heavy  frost.  Woodcock  that  have  bred  within  the  sanctuary  move 
along  on  their  southern  migration.  There  is  nothing  that  can  be 
offered  the  Woodcock  except  protection,  for  it  is  mainly  insectiv- 
orous in  its  diet,  and  as  soon  as  the  ground  freezes  is  compelled 
to  leave  its  summer  haunts. 

Of  all  our  upland  gamebirds,  none  is  more  widely  known  or 
has  more  sincere  admirers  than  the  Ruffed  Grouse,  and  no  other 
gamebird  has  the  like  robust  constitution  or  the  ability  to  with- 
stand the  rigor  of  our  New  England  winters.  Its  habits  are  such 
that  it  is  enabled  to  obtain  a  plentiful  supply  of  food  during  the 
deep  snows  of  winter,  when  the  Quail  and  Pheasant,  being  ground 
feeders,  and  dependent  upon  the  supply  of  seeds  and  nuts,  would 
perish  of  starvation.  After  the  fall  of  snow.  Grouse  feed  upon  the 
[54] 


fruits,  seeds,  and  twigs  of  many  trees  and  shrubs,  in  fact  the  list 
of  these  trees  and  shrubs  given  elsewhere  in  this  volume,  includes 
many  species  that  furnish  a  winter  food  supply  to  the  RufTed 
Grouse.  This  bird  is  also  fond  of  the  buds  of  the  birch  and  apple- 
tree,  and  consumes  quantities  of  these  during  the  winter  months, 
especially  during  February  and  March.  During  the  fall  months 
Grouse  are  found  around  wild  apple-trees,  where  they  eagerly  pick 
out  and  devour  the  seeds  of  apples  that  have  fallen.  So  it  will  be 
seen  how  important  a  part  the  wild  apple-tree  plays  in  the  exist- 
ence of  the  Grouse.  Except  in  extremely  cold  weather,  the  Grouse 
spends  the  night  high  among  the  branches  of  the  pines  or  other 
dense  coniferous  trees  and  is  safe  from  the  attacks  of  predaceous 
quadrupeds,  to  which  other  species  like  the  Quail,  that  spend  the 
night  upon  the  ground  are  subject.  When  the  mercury  drops  low 
and  the  ground  is  deeply  snow-covered,  the  Grouse  wiJl  plunge 
into  it,  and  spend  the  night  there,  warmly  covered  with  the  snow 
blanket.  Extermination  of  its  natural  enemies  and  the  planting  of 
trees  and  shrubs  that  furnish  winter  food  will  surely  bring  back 
this  fine  species  in  goodly  numbers.  The  Grouse  moreover  is  a 
woodland  bird,  and  wherever  the  forest  is  removed  by  the  lum- 
berman's axe,  it  disappears  from  the  locality.  More  tracts  of 
woodland  should  be  conserved  especially  for  this  species  of  our 
gamebirds. 

The  Quail  or  Bob-white  is  a  bird  of  the  open,  cultivated,  farming 
country,  persists  in  spite  of  the  toll  exacted  from  its  numbers  by 
the  sportsman,  and  is  a  valuable  ally  of  the  farmer,  for  it  destroys 
vast  quantities  of  weed  seeds  and  injurious  insects.  Quail  will  not 
survive  the  winter,  in  sections  of  the  country  where  the  snow  lies 
deep  upon  the  ground  for  any  great  length  of  time,  for  the  food 
supply  of  seeds,  grains,  and  the  ever  essential  gravel,  is  then 
inaccessible.  Wherever  deep  snowfalls  are  liable  to  occur,  thick 
shelters  of  brush  and  boards,  with  the  openings  facing  the  South, 
should  be  constructed  early  in  the  season,  near  the  feeding  places 
of  each  bevy  of  Quail,  and  liberally  stocked  with  mixed  grains  and 
fine  gravel.  By  encouraging  the  birds  to  visit  this  feeding-station 
long  before  the  first  snowfall,  you  will  be  assured  that  they  will 
resort  to  it  regularly  throughout  the  winter.  It  would  be  a  good 

[55] 


plan  to  sow  both  rye  and  buckwheat  in  numerous  small  patches 
throughout  the  sanctuary,  and  let  these  grains  mature  and  stand 
unreaped  as  a  food  supply. 

The  Chinese  or  Ring-necked  Pheasant  (Phasianus  torquatus) 
has  become  firmly  established  throughout  a  large  section  of  Mass- 
achusetts. While  this  bird  has  been  very  unfavorably  commented 
upon  from  the  standpoint  of  our  sportsmen  as  a  gamebird, 
from  the  fact  that  its  habits  are  such  that  it  cannot  be  pursued 
with  the  same  success  that  attends  our  native  Grouse  and  Quail 
when  hunted  with  either  pointer  or  setter,  yet  it  will  thrive  and 
increase  in  sections  where  the  last  named  species  have  entirely 
disappeared  or  where  the  environment  is  not  congenial  to  them. 

No  conclusive  evidence  has  been  produced  to  show  that  the 
Pheasant  is  antagonistic  to  our  Grouse  and  Quail  or  that  it  de- 
stroys their  nests  or  even  the  birds  themselves,  statements  that 
have  foolishly  been  made  by  certain  individuals.  The  Pheasant 
being  the  larger  bird,  might  during  a  time  of  scarcity  of  food, 
drive  away  other  birds,  when  it  was  a  question  of  self-preservation, 
and  a  survival  of  the  fittest.  This  danger  could  be  easily  overcome 
by  putting  out  food  in  abundance  for  all. 

The  Pheasant  in  spite  of  the  antipathy  shown  it  by  sportsmen 
and  others,  has  many  redeeming  traits.  It  destroys  large  quantities 
of  insects  of  many  species  injurious  to  the  farmer,  even  though  it 
may  at  times  help  itself  to  fruit  and  vegetables.  It  is  valuable  as  a 
tablebird,  for  the  flesh  of  the  Pheasant  is  excellent  in  flavor,  and 
the  bird  surpasses  any  of  our  native  species  of  gamebirds  in  both 
size  and  weight.  It  furnishes  an  incentive  for  healthful  outdoor 
exercise  to  those  who  are  fond  of  legitimate  shooting,  and  value 
**  a  sound  mind  in  a  sound  body."  Last  but  not  least  the  Pheasant 
by  reason  of  its  size  and  showy  plumage,  and  its  adaptability  to 
urban  conditions,  adds  much  to  the  attractiveness  of  the  landscape 
about  metropolitan  estates,  where  owing  to  the  abundance  of  thick 
shrubbery  and  other  suitable  cover  for  nesting,  it  takes  up  its  abode. 

The  Pheasant  like  the  Quail  is  not  a  **  budder,"  and  when  the 
ground  is  snow-covered  must  be  fed  under  shelters  in  the  same 
manner  and  with  the  same  sort  of  food  as  the  Quail. 

Throughout  Southern  New  England  and  many  of  the  Atlantic 
[56] 


states,  Black  Ducks,  Mallards,  and  Wood  Ducks  breed  in  more 
or  less  abundance,  and  it  is  hoped  through  the  establishing  of 
many  sanctuaries,  to  induce  other  species  now  nesting  farther 
north  to  spend  the  summer  in  this  locality.  Wild  Ducks  of  all 
species  need  absolute  protection  from  disturbance  on  their  feeding 
grounds,  the  planting  of  food-plants  as  given  in  the  chapter  de- 
voted to  **  Aquatic  Plants,"  and  particularly  for  the  Wood  Duck, 
artificial  nesting-sites.  The  Mallard  and  the  Black  Duck  nest  upon 
the  ground,  and  all  that  can  be  done  for  them  is  to  render  their 
chosen  nesting-sites  immune  from  all  disturbances  during  the 
period  of  incubation.  The  Wood  Duck  is  a  hole-nesting  species, 
and  the  storms  of  winter  or  other  causes  frequently  destroy  nesting 
places  that  have  been  used  annually  by  these  birds  for  many 
seasons.  Nesting-boxes  should  be  constructed  of  rough  boards  or 
hollowed  logs,  and  fastened  to  trees  in  the  vicinity  of  ponds  and 
streams.  Place  in  the  bottom  of  these  nesting-boxes  enough  old 
weathered  sawdust  or  particles  of  rotted  wood  to  form  a  layer  three 
inches  deep,  topped  off  with  some  fine,  dried  grasses.  To  this 
foundation  the  female  may  add  other  nesting-materials,  before 
plucking  the  finishing  lining  of  down  from  her  own  breast. 
Throughout  its  entire  range  the  Wood  Duck  has  become  so  re- 
duced in  numbers  as  to  be  threatened  with  the  grave  danger  of 
becoming  extinct.  Of  all  the  various  species  of  Wild  Ducks  found 
throughout  the  world,  none  excel  the  Wood  Duck  in  beauty  of 
plumage  or  grace  of  form  and  movements,  and  strenuous  efforts 
should  be  made  to  save  this  most  interesting,  and  typically 
American  species  from  extermination. 

In  many  sections  throughout  Southern  New  England,  where 
twenty  years  ago  the  Virginia  Deer  was  locally  unknown,  it  has 
now  become  plentiful,  both  in  wild  or  forest  lands  and  in  the  cul- 
tivated farming  country.  For  many  years  Deer  have  been  protec- 
ted in  Massachusetts,  and  also  in  the  adjoining  state  of  Vermont, 
where  they  increased  in  such  numbers  as  to  become  more  or  less 
of  a  menace  to  the  agriculturist.  Many  of  these  Vermont  Deer 
drifted  south  into  Massachusetts  and  from  thence  into  the  states 
of  both  Connecticut  and  Rhode  Island. 

Our  Massachusetts  game  laws  now  allow  an  open  season  of  one 

[57] 


week  in  which  the  sportsman  may  kill  one  Deer  only,  and  in  this 
way  their  numbers  are  kept  within  reasonable  limit.  The  law  also 
gives  the  owner  or  occupant  of  a  farm  the  right  to  kill  at  any  time 
Deer  that  are  found  injuring  or  feeding  upon  cultivated  crops  or 
fruit  trees.  Deer  are  really  creatures  suited  only  to  the  wild,  uncul- 
tivated portions  of  our  country,  and  cannot  be  tolerated  in  large 
numbers  in  farming  districts. 

Like  other  wild  creatures.  Deer  will  soon  discover  the  protec- 
tion offered  by  a  sanctuary,  and  will  persist  and  become  numerous 
within  its  borders.  The  proprietors  of  a  sanctuary  must  then 
decide  whether  these  Deer  should  be  tolerated  for  purely  senti- 
mental reasons,  and  if  so,  whether  the  pleasure  derived  from  the 
touch  of  wildness  their  presence  adds  to  the  surroundings,  will 
counter-balance,  the  damages  they  may  incur  upon  farm  and 
orchard. 

Deer  are  often  driven  by  hunger  during  deep  snows,  to  browse 
upon  the  branches  of  young  apple-trees.  This  destruction  of  young 
orchards  could  be  largely  overcome  by  placing  alfalfa  or  red  clover 
hay,  of  which  Deer  are  very  fond,  in  small  stacks  in  wooded  por- 
tions of  the  sanctuary,  with  a  lump  of  rock  salt  nearby  where  it 
would  be  accessible  to  them  in  snowy  weather. 

Hares,  or  as  they  are  commonly  called  **  Rabbits,"  safeguard 
the  gamebirds  within  the  sanctuary  from  their  enemies,  particu- 
ularly  the  Fox.  Hares  are  prolific  creatures,  and  when  plenty 
form  along  with  mice,  the  main  food  supply  of  the  Fox.  Foxes 
have  become  so  numerous  throughout  Massachusetts  and  adjacent 
states,  as  to  now  be  a  menace  to  our  gamebirds,  the  supply  of 
Hares  and  mice  not  being  sufficient  to  supply  the  demands  of  an 
ever  increasing  population  of  Foxes,  Reynard  pursues  the  game- 
birds, —  for  a  Fox  must  live. 

Foxes  as  well  as  other  predaceous  animals  cannot  in  safety  be 
tolerated  within  a  sanctuary,  even  though  an  abundance  of  Hares 
may  somewhat  modify  the  danger  to  the  useful  birds.  Their  num- 
bers must  be  reduced  by  trapping  the  adults  and  destroying  their 
cubs  in  the  spring-time,  when  the  Foxes*  earth  can  then  be  dis- 
covered and  the  litter  of  young  removed. 

After  establishing  a  sanctuary  do  not  be  disappointed,  if  dur- 

[58] 


ing  the  first  year  or  two  of  its  existence,  the  wild  life  does  not 
increase  in  numbers  as  rapidly  as  you  had  hoped.  Like  any  legit- 
imate enterprise,  its  growth  may  be  slow,  but  keep  everlastingly 
at  it.  This  is  a  work  of  cooperation  and  you  must  enlist  in  the 
cause  all  of  your  friends  who  have  a  love  for  the  wild  creatures. 
Among  these  you  may  be  fortunate  enough  to  find  a  civil  engi- 
neer and  possibly  a  landscape  architect.  The  former  will  be  glad  to 
assist  in  the  planning  of  roadways  and  the  latter  to  suggest  the 
planting  of  proper  shrubbery.  Some  of  the  proprietors  should  be 
appointed  as  game  wardens  having  full  power  to  arrest  and  pros- 
ecute violators,  and  thus  not  be  entirely  dependent  upon  the  state 
officers  for  the  enforcement  of  law. 

Establish  winter  feeding  stations  for  the  birds  and  systematically 
feed  them.  Place  nesting-boxes  in  suitable  places  for  the  hole- 
nesting  birds,  and  bird  baths  in  numerous  places,  when  an  abun- 
dant natural  supply  of  water  is  lacking.  Keep  the  vermin  reduced 
in  numbers,  for  when  the  useful  birds  become  numerous,  their 
enemies  likewise  increase.  Establish  a  small  nursery,  in  which  may 
be  propagated  many  species  of  trees  and  shrubs,  the  fruits  and 
seeds  of  which  are  attractive  to  both  useful  and  gamebirds.  From 
this  community  nursery,  as  it  might  properly  be  called,  plantings 
could  be  made  each  year  in  various  sections  of  the  sanctuary. 

There  are  a  number  of  native  species  of  trees  and  shrubs,  whose 
berries  and  seeds  form  an  important  winter  food  supply  of  the 
birds,  and  many  of  which  retain  their  fruits  until  the  advent  of 
spring.  The  following  are  indigenous  to  Southern  New  England, 
and  if  not  already  found  within  the  borders  of  a  sanctuary,  may  be 
easily  transplanted,  will  thrive  and  become  permanently  estab- 
lished:—  Bayberry,  Ground  Juniper,  Barberry  and  Upland  Cedar 
or  Savin.  These  are  but  a  few  of  many  species,  both  native  and 
exotic,  a  list  of  which  is  given  in  the  chapter  devoted  to  that  sub- 
ject in  this  volume.  In  many  spots  sheltered  from  the  northerly 
winds  sow  rye  and  buckwheat,  each  of  course  by  itself.  Along  the 
edges  of  the  fields  plant  long  rows  of  the  large  Russian  sunflower 
and  in  moist  land  sow  Japanese  millet.  All  of  these  plants  furnish 
a  food  supply  relished  by  birds  of  many  species. 

Whenever  time  and  expense  will  admit,  a  series  of  connecting 

[59] 


roads  and  bridle-paths  should  be  constructed,  intersecting  the  sanc- 
tuary. These  serve  not  only  as  fire-lanes  to  prevent  the  spread  of 
any  forest  fires  that  may  unexpectedly  break  out,  but  also  provide 
sunny  places  and  highways  for  the  woods  creatures.  Ruffed  Grouse 
are  fond  of  these  forest  roads,  where  dusting  places  and  wild  fruits 
are  found  in  abundance  along  their  borders.  Immediately  after  the 
first  snowfall  a  tour  of  inspection  should  be  carefully  made  through- 
out the  entire  length  and  breadth  of  the  sanctuary,  not  only  to 
supply  the  needed  food  to  the  worthy  furred  and  feathered  guests, 
but  also  to  discover  what  enemies  of  theirs  are  abroad  and  what 
record  of  their  evil  deeds  has  been  written  upon  the  tell-tale  snow. 
Now  is  the  time  to  begin  the  campaign  of  extermination  of  the 
"vermin."  The  lean  and  hungry  winter  renders  the  Fox  more 
susceptible  to  the  enticing  bait  of  the  trap,  and  the  semi-wild  house 
cat  will  enter  the  box-trap,  in  quest  of  the  proffered  morsel  of  fish. 
The  services  of  a  professional  trapper  at  this  season  of  year,  would 
more  than  pay  the  initial  cost  to  the  owners,  and  when  possible  a 
man  should  be  engaged  for  this  purpose,  especially  when  the  sanc- 
tuary is  situated  in  wild  portions  of  the  country. 

In  these  closing  lines  the  author  wishes  to  impress  upon  the 
reader  how  far-reaching  will  be  the  results  obtained  through  this 
establishing  of  Sanctuaries  or  Wild  Life  Reservations,  not  only  in 
**  bringing  back  the  gamebirds,"  but  also  in  protecting  and  increas- 
ing the  numbers  of  our  useful  birds.  We  have  reached  the  **  danger 
point"  where,  unless  something  drastic  is  done  and  done  without 
delay  to  protect  certain  areas,  persistent  shooting  will  simply  spell 
extermination.  Whether  a  sanctuary  consists  of  the  combined  acres 
of  a  few  farmers,  and  managed  under  simple  methods,  or  whether 
it  be  a  territory  that  embraces  many  square  miles  and  is  under  the 
supervision  of  a  trained  wild  life  protectionist,  the  fundamental 
principles  are  the  same  in  each,  and  the  founders  should  be  looked 
upon  as  men  who  have  the  welfare  not  only  of  their  own  commun- 
ity at  heart,  but  also  of  the  entire  nation. 

Some  men  will  always  delight  in  shooting  as  a  recreation  and 

among  these  there  exists  a  feeling  that  chances  of  enjoying  their 

sport  are  becoming  less  with  each  ensuing  year,  owing  to  these 

restricted  areas.  To  them  we  would  say  that  it  is  only  by  the  estab- 

[60] 


lishment  of  sanctuaries  and  allowing  the  game  to  increase  within 
their  boundaries,  that  the  sections  now  oi>en  to  shooting  can  be 
kept  supplied  with  animals  of  the  chase,  by  the  natural  overflow 
from  within  the  protected  areas. 

Many  useful  and  interesting  species  of  our  wild  birds  and  ani- 
mals have  either  entirely  disappeared  from  our  country,  or  become 
in  danger  of  extermination,  all  within  a  comparatively  few  years,  and 
it  is  only  through  methods  of  perpetuation  such  as  are  brought 
about  by  the  establishment  of  Sanctuaries  and  Game  Preserves,  that 
we  shall  be  able  to  convey  to  future  generations  a  part  of  the  her- 
itage that  is  due  them. 

Until  our  gamebirds  and  animals  have  been  sufficiently  increased 
in  numbers  through  protective  measures,  to  allow  with  safety  the 
shooting  of  the  yearly  increase,  we  must  keep  certain  areas  closed. 
One  season  of  persistent  and  promiscuous  shooting  will  destroy 
all  the  good  results  that  have  been  obtained  through  ten  seasons  of 
protection.  Many  tracts  must  be  maintained  as  Wild  Life  Reserva- 
tions, and  forever  held  inviolate  from  destructive  agents.  Protec- 
tion IS  the  one  thing  that  will  spell  success  in  this  attempt  to  increase 
our  wild  life.  Protection  from  the  lawless  human  element;  protec- 
tion from  starvation ;  protection  from  their  natural  enemies.  Given 
these,  the  birds  and  quadrupeds  will  rapidly  multiply  without  the 
aid  of  artificial  means  of  propagation. 

Time  was  when  our  wild  birds  and  animals  formed  an  important 
source  of  food  supply  to  the  people  of  this  country.  But  with  the 
advance  of  civilization  and  its  modern  methods  of  producing  food 
in  abundance  and  in  a  portable  form,  our  wild  life  has  ceased  to  be 
a  commodity  of  this  sort,  except  in  a  few  remote  corners  of  the  earth 
peopled  by  savage  tribes.  Today  our  wild  life  in  civilized  commun- 
ities plays  a  far  more  important  part  in  the  economic,  sentimental 
and  recreative  life  of  the  people. 

Since  we  may  thus  increase  our  wild  creatures  by  simple  methods 
that  put  incumbrance  upon  none,  let  us  assure  posterity  that  the 
woods  in  springtime  will  always  resound  with  the  drumming  of  the 
Ruffed  Grouse;  that  from  the  blue  overhead  will  come  down  to  us 
the  "honk"  of  the  swiftly  winging  platoons  of  the  Wild  Goose; 
and  that  the  Deer  will  always  feed  in  the  wild  pastures. 

[611 


ENEMIES  OF  WILD  BIRDS 

WE  may  never  hope  to  increase  the  numbers  of  our  useful 
birds  and  quadrupeds  until  their  natural  enemies  and  other 
destructive  agents  are  either  largely  removed  or  reduced  to  a 
minimum.  Each  year  sees  a  fresh  horde  of  illiterate  immigrants 
landed  upon  our  shores,  off  scourings  from  the  southern  countries 
of  Europe,  people  to  whom  our  wild  creatures  appeal  only  as  a 
welcome  addition  to  the  biU-of-fare. 

Every  season,  hundreds,  yes  thousands  of  our  useful  birds  are 
both  shot  and  snared  by  the  Italian  and  Slav  poacher.  Our  coun- 
try is  too  wide,  and  the  game  wardens  too  few  in  number  to 
successfully  cope  with  this  menace.  A  large  percentage  of  these 
foreign  violators  of  our  game  laws,  belong  to  the  laboring  classes, 
and  are  employed  by  railway  companies,  and  contractors  who  need 
wielders  of  the  pick  and  shovel,  and  carriers  of  mortar.  There  is 
a  remedy  for  this  sort  of  violation,  and  one  that  would  have  last- 
ing effect.  Every  employer  of  foreign  labor,  whether  railway  com- 
pany, or  building  contractor,  should  establish  a  hard  and  fast  rule, 
that  the  first  man  in  their  employ  found  with  either  a  rifle  or  shot- 
gun in  his  possession,  or  who  destroyed  any  form  of  wild  life 
contrary  to  the  laws  of  either  state  or  federal  government,  be 
summarily  discharged.  This  would  have  a  most  wholesome 
effect,  and  at  the  same  time  create  of  the  employer  a  powerful 
public  benefactor.  Why  should  not  the  employer  of  this  sort  of 
violator  treat  the  matter  so  far  as  the  public  is  concerned  as  though 
it  was  of  a  personal  nature.  Would  the  wealthy  employer  tolerate 
the  shooting  of  the  useful  birds  upon  his  country  estate,  by  his 
own  laborers?  Why  then  should  he  not  insist  that  they  refrain 
from  destroying  them  elsewhere. 

The  alien  violator  of  our  game  laws,  may  offer  as  an  apology  for 
his  misconduct,  ignorance  of  our  protective  laws  and  that  he  has 
simply  followed  the  customs  of  the  country  of  his  birth,  where  in 
many  instances  all  forms  of  wild  creatures  are  considered  legitimate 
objects  of  pursuit  for  either  sport  or  food.  We  have  unfortunately 
among  our  young  American  citizens  a  certain  class,  that  seem  to 
be  absolutely  lawless,  in  spite  of  home  influences  or  education,  and 
[62] 


who  not  only  violate  the  game  laws,  but  also  set  forest  fires,  and 
commit  other  depredations  simply  from  a  spirit  of  maliciousness. 
There  is  no  excuse  to  be  offered  by  this  class  of  violator.  A  heavy 
fine,  a  term  of  imprisonment,  or  both,  is  the  only  sort  of  punish- 
ment that  produces  any  effect  on  this  sort, —  moral  suasion  is  too 
weak. 

There  are  a  number  of  predatory  birds  and  animals  that  should 
be  killed  on  sight,  or  by  methods  of  trapping. 

At  the  head  of  the  list  stands  the  house  cat.  More  birds,  both 
useful  and  game  birds  are  destroyed  each  year  by  this  pest,  than 
by  any  other  of  their  winged  or  four-footed  enemies.  Hundreds 
of  semi-wild  house  cats  roam  the  woods  and  fields,  from  the 
borders  of  Long  Island  Sound  to  the  Canadian  boundaries  of  our 
northern  New  England  States.  Trappers  engaged  in  the  pursuit 
of  fur-bearing  animals  catch  many  house  cats,  in  the  woods  far 
removed  from  human  habitations.  These  cats  subsist  upon  the 
birds  and  smaller  quadrupeds,  and  it  is  a  wonder  that  a  single 
ruffed  grouse,  quail,  woodcock,  or  hare  is  left  in  our  covers.  In 
the  suburban  districts  cats  destroy  large  numbers  of  useful  birds, 
their  eggs  and  young,  both  by  day  and  night,  for  the  cat  is  largely 
nocturnal  in  its  habits,  and  carries  on  its  work  of  destruction  when 
its  movements  are  cloaked  by  darkness. 

Many  of  the  cats  now  roaming  the  woods  are  the  victims  or 
their  descendants,  of  the  negligence  of  persons  from  the  city,  who 
in  their  exodus  to  the  country  for  the  summer,  brought  along 
their  household  pet  that  it  might  be  cared  for  by  themselves,  rather 
than  leave  it  in  charge  of  a  neighbor  during  their  absence. 

This  is  no  doubt  humane  and  highly  commendable,  but  fre- 
quently in  the  hurry  of  departure  for  the  city  at  the  end  of  the 
season,  the  cat  at  the  last  moment  cannot  be  found.  The  train  is 
about  due,  and  time  must  not  be  consumed  in  a  hunt  for  the 
missing  animal.  Consequently  the  cat  is  left  without  shelter  or 
food,  and  soon  becomes  a  menace  to  the  life  of  woods  and  fields. 

Unless  drastic  measures  are  speedily  taken  to  reduce  the 
numbers  of  house  cats  found  at  large  throughout  our  country,  the 
establishing  of  protected  areas  for  useful  wild  creatures  will  fail  of 
their  purpose.  The  writer  knows  of  one  specific  instance  of  the 

[63] 


destructiveness  of  the  semi-wild  cat,  in  which  a  bevy  of  fourteen 
quail  was  reduced  in  numbers,  until  two  only  of  the  original  bevy 
were  left,  and  this  took  place  within  a  wild  life  refuge  where  all 
shooting  had  been  discontinued.  We  are  now  face  to  face  with  the 
same  problem  that  presented  itself  to  the  game  preservers  of  Eng- 
land fifty  years  ago  and  which  still  continues  at  the  present  time, 

—  how  to  get  rid  of  the  semi-wild  house  cat  in  an  effective  and 
humane  manner.  Until  cat  owners  are  compelled  by  law  to  license 
their  pets  and  properly  restrain  them,  this  animal  will  continue  to 
be  a  wild  creature,  without  legal  status  and  against  whom  the 
righteous  bird  protectionist  must  forever  wage  a  war  of  extermi- 
nation. 

The  writer  wishes  to  quote  a  few  lines  from  the  book  of  that 
charming  English  author,  the  late  Richard  Jefferies,  entitled  "The 
Gamekeeper  at  Home,"  in  which  he  sets  forth  the  alarming  de- 
struction wrought  by  house  cats  among  wild  creatures  in  England. 
These  are  taken  from  the  third  American  edition  published  in 
1879.  **  All  the  cats  were  shot  or  caught  in  the  traps  set  for  vermin 
by  her  husband  (the  Gamekeeper)  or  his  assistants.  The  majority 
were  wild  —  that  is,  had  taken  up  their  residence  in  the  woods, 
reverting  to  their  natural  state,  and  causing  great  havoc  among 
the  game." 

"This  gives  an  idea  of  the  extraordinary  number  of  cats  which 
stray  abroad  and  get  their  living  by  poaching.  They  invariably 
gravitate  towards  the  woods.  The  instance  in  point  is  taken  from 
an  oudying  district  far  from  a  town,  where  the  nuisance  is  com- 
paratively small ;  but  in  the  preserves  say  from  ten  to  twenty  miles 
round  London  the  cats  thus  killed  must  be  counted  by  thousands. 
Families  change  their  homes,  the  cat  is  driven  away  by  the  new 
comer  and  takes  to  the  field.  In  one  little  copse  not  more  than 
two  acres  in  extent,  and  about  twelve  miles  from  Hyde  Park  Cor- 
ner, fifteen  cats  were  shot  in  six  weeks,  and  nearly  all  in  one  spot 

—  their  favorite  haunt.  When  two  or  three  wild  or  homeless  ani- 
mals take  up  their  abode  in  a  wood,  they  speedily  attract  half  a 
dozen  hitherto  tame  ones;  and,  if  they  are  not  destroyed,  it  would 
be  impossible  to  keep  either  game  or  rabbits." 

Both  Caopffr'f  ^^nd  Sharp  chinned- Ilinvka  nm  11.131  dootruetive 
[64] 


^ 


^ 

fn 


nf  hini  lifr,  nnri  yhmilf]  ntit  hr  tnlftrattHi  Shnnfing  in  nboHt  thn  nn!^ 
wneano  ot  riddaneci   Fortunately  the  Gochawlc's  vImla  aiL  ii>Tj»"    ^  A^a 
qiipnt,  hitt  when  this  bird  do»fi  appear  it  ic  uoually  in  large  wumhei^.  ^H^^/ 
The  last  large  flight  was  during  the  autumn  and  winter  of  1906-    i^  El,   '^ 
1907,  at  which  time  the  writer  shot  several  of  these  birds  and  saw 
many  others.   This  species  of  hawk  is  very  fond  of  the  flesh  of 
Ruffed  Grouse,  and  during  the  above  mentioned  flight  the  writer  ^i\j 
found  the  remains  of  several  Grouse  that  had  been  killed  and 
eaten  by  this  bird.  When  this  hawk  appears  in  the  vicinity  a 
systematic  campaign  of  extermination  should  be  waged  against  it 
with  the  shot-gun. 

Foxes  in  the  last  decade  have  become  very  numerous  through- 
out Massachusetts  and  other  states.  Reynard  is  not  however  as 
black  as  he  is  sometimes  painted.  He  seems  to  live  on  neighborly 
terms  with  the  Ruffed  Grouse,  and  what  few  birds  of  this  species 
he  picks  up  are  usually  those  that  have  been  wounded  by  and  es- 
caped from  the  gunner,  or  some  weakling  of  the  covey  not  strong 
enough  to  burst  away  on  whirring  wing.  When  micg  and  hargg 
are  plenty  the  Fox  takes  his  toll  from  these.  Should  Foxes  become 
a  menace  to  the  game  birds,  the  shot-gun  and  hounds,  and  the 
steel-trap  must  be  used  to  reduce  their  numbers  to  a  safety  point. 
Encourage  the  hares  to  increase  and  you  will  divert  the  Fox  from 
preying  upon  the  game  birds. 

In  many  metropolitan  suburbs  the  Crow  and  the  Blue  Jay  have 
become  both  too  numerous  and  too  familiar  to  be  tolerated  with 
safety  to  our  more  useful  birds.  They  should  be  systematically 
"thinned  out."  Individual  Crows  develop  strong  likings  for 
young  birds  and  eggs,  particularly  when  the  Crows  have  a  family 
of  their  own  dependent  upon  them.  During  the  spring  of  1914,  a 
pair  of  Crows  built  a  nest  within  a  quarter  of  a  mile  of  my  home, 
and  managed  to  make  away  with  between  thirty-five  and  forty 
chickens  about  a  week  old,  before  the  theft  was  discovered.  These 
Crows  afterwards  quietly  dangled  from  the  tip  of  a  pole  on  the  edge 
of  the  field  as  a  warning  to  others  of  their  tribe,  who  might  seek 
to  carry  on  depredations  of  a  like  nature.  This  same  season,  while 
journeying  by  train,  I  saw  a  Crow  flying  along  within  twenty  yards 
of  the  car  window,  with  a  Quail's  egg  impaled  upon  its  beak.   I 

[65] 


will  wager  that  later  trips  were  made  by  this  Crow  to  the  Quail's 
nest  as  long  as  the  supply  of  eggs  held  out. 

Blue  Jays  sneak  quietly  through  the  woods,  and  among  the 
orchard  and  shade  trees  during  the  nesting  season  and  help  them- 
selves to  the  eggs  and  young  of  useful  birds.  For  a  bird  usually  so 
garrulous,  the  Blue  Jay  at  this  season  of  the  year  is  strangely  silent. 
It  is  an  ominous  silence,  the  silence  used  by  a  thief  in  his  under- 
handed work.  Whenever  the  Robin  discovers  a  Jay  during  the  nest- 
ing season  on  the  prowl,  he  immediately  sounds  the  alarm,  when 
Robins  and  other  birds  immediately  flock  to  the  scene  and  husde 
the  Jay  out  of  the  neighborhood.  When  this  commotion  is  heard 
among  the  birds,  grab  the  shot-gun  and  annihilate  the  Blue  Jay. 

The  Great  Horned  and  Barred  Owl,  are  both  very  destructive 
to  bird  life  and  should  be  shot  wherever  found. 

The  Snapping  Turtle  destroys  many  young  Wild  Ducks  of 
all  species,  and  is  rather  difficult  to  capture.  This  Turtle  not  only 
seizes  the  downy  young,  but  also  ducks  that  are  half-grown.  The 
bird  protectionist  has  however  a  valuable  ally  in  the  much  ma- 
ligned Skunk.  The  Skunk  undoubtedly  destroys  some  eggs  and 
young  of  our  ground-nesting  birds,  but  endeavors  to  repay  this 
loss  by  destroying  many  eggs  of  the  Snapping  Turtle.  The 
Skunk  has  a  decided  epicurean  taste  in  this  respect,  and  makes 
a  most  thorough  search  for  the  eggs  of  the  turde  that  have  been 
deposited  in  sandy  stretches  near  river  or  pond,  prompdy  digs 
them  out  and  devours  them  on  the  spot,  the  broken  shells  scat- 
tered about  giving  evidence  of  the  work. 

Too  many  dogs  roam  the  woods  during  the  nesting  season,  and 
a  law  should  be  enacted  compelling  their  owners  to  restrain  them 
at  home  during  the  spring  and  summer  months.  Some  bird 
dogs  develop  what  is  called  the  "self-hunting"  habit,  and  catch 
gamebirds  on  their  nest,  or  the  young.  Most  of  the  danger  how- 
ever comes  from  the  presence  in  the  woods  at  night  of  both  rabbit 
and  fox  hounds.  These  dogs  while  in  chase  of  their  quarry, 
frighten  many  ground  nesting  birds  from  their  nests,  with  the 
result  that  the  eggs  are  left  to  become  chilled,  and  thus  prevented 
from  hatching,  or  the  young  birds  die  from  exposure  before  the 
parent  can  return  to  them  with  the  coming  of  daylight. 

[66] 


Rats  and  Weasels  are  very  destructive,  and  should  be  trapped 
or  shot  whenever  or  wherever  one  may  chance  to  find  them. 

One  of  the  greatest  difficulties  that  the  protector  of  wild  life 
experiences  in  his  efforts  to  increase  the  numbers  of  useful  birds 
and  animals,  is  the  constantly  recurring  numbers  of  predatory  spe- 
cies that  will  inevitably  swarm  within  his  protected  area.  However 
we  must  admit,  from  the  results  of  observations  by  reputable  nat- 
uralists, covering  a  period  of  many  years,  that  predaceous  species 
of  both  birds  and  mammals,  when  not  too  abundant,  render  an 
important  service  in  keeping  the  health  of  our  useful  species  at 
its  highest  standard,  by  destroying  the  sickly  and  maimed  indi- 
viduals. This  prevents  disease  from  spreading  and  becoming  a  se- 
rious epidemic,  particularly  among  our  upland  gamebirds.  All  the 
hawks,  owls  and  foxes  should  not  be  destroyed,  for  then  our 
country  would  soon  be  overrun  by  weasels,  rats,  mice  and  other 
rodents.  It  is  only  when  the  numbers  of  harmful  species  are  out 
of  all  proportion  to  those  of  the  useful  species  that  we  must  by  a  t 


process  of  extermination  restoret^jature's  balanc^>JJnfortunately  _^^^j  mi 
today  the  predaceous  birds  and  species  in  many  sections  of  our 
country  have  multiplied  in  numbers  beyond  a  point  of  safety. 
There  is  no  way  of  overcoming  this  menace  except  by  eternal 
vigilance  in  judicious  trapping  and  the  use  of  firearms.  Like  vul- 
tures, these  "pests "as  Dr.  Hornaday  rightfully  calls  them,  seem 
to  intuitively  gather  to  the  good  hunting  grounds  of  the  Wild 
Life  Refuge  or  Sanctuary. 

Present  day  methods  of  spraying  trees  with  poisonous  fluids  and 
the  use  of  powerful  machines  for  the  purpose,  must  no  doubt 
continue,  in  order  to  destroy  the  myriads  of  leaf-eating  insects  that 
defoliate  our  trees.  Nevertheless,  nests,  eggs,  and  young  birds  are 
destroyed  by  the  powerful,  drenching  stream  thrown  by  the  power- 
sprayer.  Birds  are  not  found  in  numbers  in  sections  where  the 
trees  have  been  thoroughly  sprayed.  Not  only  have  their  homes 
been  destroyed,  but  also  the  insect  life  upon  which  they  feed. 
Whether  many  birds  die  from  the  effects  of  eating  insects  that 
have  been  poisoned  is  a  question  that  still  remains  unanswered. 


[67] 


BIBLIOGRAPHY  OF  WORKS  PERTAINING 
TO  BIRDS  AND  THE  OUT-OF-DOORS 

THIS  list  of  books  was  compiled  as  an  aid  to  those  who  may 
wish  to  continue  the  study  of  bird  protection  and  the  estab- 
lishment of  game  refuges  and  sanctuaries.  Works  on  shooting, 
fishing  and  exploration  have  also  been  included,  from  the  fact  that 
much  interesting  and  instructive  material  is  often  found  among 
the  pages  of  books  on  these  subjects,  and  in  many  instances  their 
authors  are  among  our  foremost  advocates  of  wild  life  conservation. 
Many  of  the  members  of  this  Association  are  both  enthusiastic 
sportsmen  and  anglers,  and  it  is  only  fair  that  a  list  of  books  on  the 
subjects  most  dear  to  them  should  be  included  in  this  compilation. 
The  books  included  in  this  list  comprise  not  only  the  most 
recent  publications  on  the  various  subjects,  but  also  well  known 
works  that  have  stood  the  test  of  time  and  the  critics,  and  which 
are  indispensable  to  the  student  of  wild  life.  Many  of  these  are 
classics,  and  should  always  be  within  the  reach  of  everyone  who 
has  a  love  for  the  out-of-doors,  and  religiously  read  at  least  once 
every  season.  What  can  more  completely  veil  your  urban  sur- 
roundings of  a  winter's  night,  and  transport  you  to  the  open 
country,  than  the  reading  of  Frank  BoUes's  "Land  of  the  Lin- 
gering Snow"  and  "At  the  North  of  Bearcamp  Water,"  or  John 
Burroughs'  "Wake-Robin"? 

Many  books  that  have  not  been  included  in  this  list  have  great 
merit,  but  space  would  not  admit  of  more.  So  the  writer  must  be 
pardoned  if  he  has  unintentionally  slighted  the  books  of  other 
authors  by  not  placing  them  on  these  pages. 

BIRDS 

Audubon  and  his  Journals.  2  vols.  ^7.50 

Bailey,   Mrs.   Florence  Merriam  —  Birds  of  Field  and  Village. 

Illustrated  2.00 

Bailey,  Mrs.   Florence  Merriam  —  Handbook  of   Birds  of  the 

Western  United  States.   Illustrated  3.50 

BoUes,  Frank — At  the  North  of  Bearcamp  Water  1.25 

BoUes,  Frank  —  Land  of  the  Lingering  Snow  1.25 

[68] 


Brewster,  William  —  Birds  of  the  Cambridge  Region,  Massachu- 
setts $2. 50 
Burroughs,  John — Wake-Robin.   With  Portrait  1.15 
Chapman,   Frank  M.  —  Handbook  of  Birds  of  Eastern  North 

America.   Colored  plates.   1914  3.50 

Chapman,  Frank  M. — The  Warblers  of  North  America.   Col- 
ored plates.   1914  3.00 
Forbush,  Edward  Howe  —  History  of  the  Game-Birds,  Wildfowl, 

Shore  Birds  of  Massachusetts  and  Adjacent  States.    Illustrated         1.00 
Forbush,  Edward  Howe  —  Useful  Birds  and  Their  Protection, 

Illustrated  1.00 

Herrick,  F.  H.  — Home  Life  of  Wild  Birds.   Illustrated  2.00 

Hoffmann,  Ralph — A  Guide  to  the  Birds  of  New  England  and 

Elastern  New  York.   Illustrated  1.50 

Minot,  Henry  D. — The  Land-Birds  and  Game-Birds  of  New 
England.  Edited  by  William  Brewster.  With  Portrait  and  out- 
line illustrations  3.50 
Reed,  Chester  A.  — Bird  Book.    Illustrated,  colors.    1915  3.00 
Sandys,  E.  W.,  and  Van  Dyke,  T.  S. —  Upland  Game-Birds. 

Illustrated  2.00 

Sanford,  L.  C. — Waterfowl  Family.   Illustrated  2.00 

Townsend,  Charles  W. — Birds  of  Essex  County,  Massachusetts  2.50 
Townsend,  Charles  W. — Along  the  Labrador  Coast.  Illustrated  1.50 
Townsend,  Charles  W. — A  Labrador  Spring.   Illustrated  1.50 

Townsend,  Charles  W,  —  Sand  Dunes  and  Salt  Marshes  2.00 

Trafton,  Gilbert  H. — Methods  of  Attracting  Birds.   Illustrated  1.25 

Trumbull,  Gurdon  —  Names  and  Portraits  of  Birds  Which  Inter- 
est Gunners.   Illustrated  2.00 
Wright,  Mabel  Osgood  —  Birdcraft.   Illustrated  2. 00 

SHOOTING.  FISHING  AND  WOODCRAFT 

Bennet,  E. — Shots  and  Snapshots  in  British  E^st  Africa. 

lUustrated.   1914  2.00 

Breck,  Edward — The  Way  of  the  Woods;  a  Manual  for  Sports- 
men.  Illustrated  1. 75 

Camp,  Samuel  G.  —  Fishing  Kits  and  Equipment  1.00 

Carnegie,  W.  —  Practical  Game  Preserving  3.00 

Dugmore,  A.  Radclyffe — The  Romance  of  the  Beaver.  Illustra- 
ted with  photographs  from  life  and  drawings  by  the  author.  1914  2. 50 

Duncan,   Stanley  and  Thome,   Guy  —  Complete  Wildfowler 

Ashore  and  Afloat.   Illustrated  3. 75 

Frazcr,  Perry  D.  — Angler' s  Workshop  1. 00 

[69] 


Gathorne-Hardy,  A.  E. — My  Happy  Hunting  Grounds.  Illustrated  ;^3.00 

Grinnell,  George  B. —  Hunting  in  High  Altitudes.   Illustrated  2.50 

Holder,  Charles  F.  —  Big  Game  at  Sea.   Illustrated  2.00 
Holder,  Charles  F. —  Big  Game  Fishes  of  the  United  States. 

Illustrated  2.00 

Holder,  Charles  F.  —  Game  Fishes  of  the  World.   Illustrated  5.00 

Holder,  Charles  F.  —  Salt  Water  Game  Fishing  .70 
Hornaday,  William  T.  —  Camp  Fires  in  the  Canadian  RockLes. 

Illustrated  3.00 
Hornaday,  William  T. —  Camp  Fires  on  Desert  and  Lava. 

Illustrated  3.00 

Hornaday,  William  T. —  Our  Vanishing  Wild  Life.   Illustrated  1.50 
Hornaday,  William  T. — Wild  Life  Conservation.  Illustrated.  1914    1.50 

Huntington,  Dwight  W. —  Our  Big  Game.   Illustrated  2.00 

Huntington,  Dwight  W. —  Our  Feathered  Game.  Illustrated  2.00 

Himtington,  Dwight  W.  —  Our  Wild  Fowl.   Illustrated  1.50 
Jefferies,  John  Richard  — The  Gamekeeper  at  home.  New  edition. 

Illustrated  1.20 
Jones,  Owen  and  Woodward,  Marcus  —  Game  Keeper's  Note 

Book  2.10 
Jordan  and  Evermann  — American  Food  and  Game  Fishes  4. 00 
Kearton,  Cherrie — Wild  Life  Across  the  World  with  the  Camera  5. 00 
Kephart,  Horace — Book  of  Camping  and  Woodcraft.  Illustrated  1.50 
LaBranche,  G.  M.  L.  — Dry  Fly  and  Fast  Waters  2.00 
Marbury,  Mary  Orvis — Favorite  Flies  and  Their  Histories.  Illus- 
trated in  colors  and  black  and  white  5.00 
Martindale,  Thomas — Hunting  in  the  Upper  Yukon.  Illustrated  2.00 
Mcllhenny,  Edward  A. — The  Wild  Turkey  and  its  Hunting. 

Illustrated.   1914  2.50 
Rhead,  Louis  —  Bait  Angling  for  Common  Fishes  1.25 
Rogers,  Sir  John  Godfrey  —  Sport  in  Vancouver  and  Newfound- 
land. Illustrated  2.00 
Roosevelt,  Theodore  —  African  Game  Trails.  Illustrated  4.00 

Roosevelt,  Theodore — Outdoor  Pastimes  of  an  American  Hunter. 

Illustrated  3.00 

Scull,  E.  Marshall  —  Hunting  in  the  Arctic  and  Alaska.  Illustra- 
ted. 1914  2.50 

Sears,  George  W.  (Nessmuk)  — Woodcraft.   A  Classic  1. 00 

Seton,  Ernest  Thompson — Life  Histories  of  Northern  Animals. 
2  Vols.   Complete  history  of  North  America  Animals  from  the 

Field  Mouse  to  the  Moose.   Illustrated  18. 00 

Seton,  Ernest  Thompson — The  Arctic  Prairies.  Illustrated  2.50 
[70] 


Sheldon,  Charles  — The  Wilderness  of  the  Upper  Yukon.  Illus- 
trated $3.00 
Sheldon,  Charles — Wilderness  of  the  North  Pacific  Coast  Islands. 

Illustrated  2.00 
Singer,  Daniel  J.  —  Big  Game  Fields  of  America  —  North  and 

South.  Illustrated.  1914  2.2S 
Southard,  Charles  Z. — Trout  Fly-Fishing  in  America  7.50 
Thomas,  W.  S.  — Trails  and  Tramps  in  Alaska  and  Newfound- 
land. Illustrated  2.50 
White,  Stewart  Edward — African  Camp  Fires.  Illustrated  1.50 
White,  Stewart  Edward  —  Camp  and  Trail.  Illustrated  1. 50 
White,  Stewart  Edward — Land  of  Footprints.  (Hunting  Adven- 
tures in  Africa.)  Illustrated  1.50 
White,  Stewart  Edward  — The  Forest.  Illustrated  1. 50 
White,  Stewart  Edward — The  Mountains.  Illustrated  1.50 
White,  Stewart  Edward — The  Rediscovered  Country.  (Africa.) 

lUustrated.   1915  2.00 

Whitney,  Harry — Hunting  with  the  Eskimos.  Illustrated  3.50 

Nearly  all  of  the  books  mentioned  in  the  above  list  may  be  found  on  the 
shelves  of  the  larger  City  and  Town  Libraries  throughout  our  country.  Many  of 
these  are  desirable  to  own,  and  the  price  has  been  given  opposite  each. 


171] 


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